Consumer Advocates Industry Experts and State Regulators Join Forces to Educate Texans on Consumer Rights
SAN ANTONIOTexas is the fastest growing state in the country with hundreds of people moving to the Lone Star State every day. Unfortunately illegal moving companies are operating statewide taking a financial and emotional toll on Texans who find themselves faced with losing everything they own or paying a ransom to release their belongings.
At a press conference Monday morning in San Antonio government agencies moving industry experts and consumer advocates cautioned Texans to do their homework before hiring a moving company. Leaders with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Southwest Movers Association (SMA) American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin encouraged consumers to take note of their rights and responsibilities.
May marks the beginning of the busiest moving season of the year; a time that can be riddled with illegal and unethical fly-by-night operators preying on unsuspecting Texans" said Southwest Movers Association Executive Director John D. Esparza the state association representing licensed movers. At a time of record growth for our state it is important to educate new as well as native Texans on the moving standards they should expect."
More than 35 million Americans move annually. Texas welcomes more than 400 new residents daily and the state ranks number one for inbound moves. Unfortunately since 2012 Texas largest cities have consistently found their way into the annual top 10 cities nationwide for consumer moving complaints.
That ranking is changing. While moving complaints nationally are on the rise in Texas those numbers are improving thanks to laws passed stiffening fines and penalties. That includes jail time for repeat offenses committed by illegal operators. TxDMVs enforcement investigators have also taken on an expanded role in assisting the federal government with interstate complaints and putting unlicensed movers on notice that any attempts to operate in Texas will not be tolerated by the state.
TxDMV is determined to make Texas one of safest states in which consumers hire a moving company" said Whitney Brewster the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Director. Unlicensed movers are rogue operators who are not legitimate moving companies. We urge consumers to protect themselves by visiting Truck Stop on
www.TxDMV.gov before they move to verify if a mover is licensed in Texas."
There are more than 7000 moving companies nationwide and more than 800 licensed movers in Texas. In 2015 TxDMV received 451 complaints against movers 170 of those were for unlicensed movers. This year TxDMV has received 328 complaints 245 of those were for unlicensed movers.
For many of us its difficult to put a price tag on some of the personal items we have in our home or office. Thats why it is so important to do your research before hiring any business to move your belongings" said Carrie A. Hurt President and CEO for BBB serving Central Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin. While there are many moving companies that are trustworthy it only takes picking the wrong one to put you in a bad situation."
Last year BBB received more than 11000 complaints about movers nationwide. Many of those complaints alleged pricing issues delivery issues lost or damaged property and uncooperative employees. BBB has business reviews on over 700 moving companies in their 97-county service area. Choosing a BBB Accredited Business tells consumers that business abides by a strict set of eight standards for trust that range from making sure the business is advertising honestly to safeguarding the privacy of their customers.
With so many things on the move to-do list" people often dont spend the time investigating who they are about to hire. Equipping Texans with accessible tools and educating them on their rights has moved Texas from the third worst state in the country for moving scams to sixth in 2014.
Dont Make a Move Without Us a campaign launched by TxDMV is part of that toolbox as is FMCSAs Protect Your Move campaign the first partnership between federal state and local officials and the moving industry.
The American Moving & Storage Association and Southwest Movers Association have also created certification programs to help fight back against moving company imposters certifying elite moving companies committed to honest and ethical business practices and designating them as either Pinnacle Movers or ProMovers.
Hiring a professional mover is a smart decision that saves time and effort while providing the best protection for your household goods. Consumers should choose a moving company they can trust and that company must be licensed" said Scott Michael president and CEO of the American Moving & Storage Association in Alexandria Va. the industrys national trade group. We want consumers to be confident theyve chosen a mover committed to honest and ethical business practicesa certified ProMover."
Moving fraud is preventable and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Southwest Movers Association (SMA) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin offered all consumers important steps to take before moving as well as helpful tools to use during and after a move.
Laws and investigations help consumers after they have a problem but the only one who can make sure illegal moving companies dont have any business is you" Brewster said.
