Moving Fraud Continues in NJ Amid State and Federal Campaigns to Minimize Fraud Epidemic
Montclair, NJ (PRWEB) December 03, 2015 -- Gibraltar Van Lines, a licensed NJ moving service company, provides safety tips for residents looking for reliable movers without falling prey to fraudulent activity. After receiving thousands of complaints regarding moving companies over a 2 year period, states have taken steps to identify and remove unlicensed companies operating illegally. New Jersey – one of the top three states for moving company fraud, identified 26 unlicensed companies as a direct result of undercover sting operations. Homeowners, however, continue to fall victim to fraudulent activity when placing possessions in the hands of movers in NJ and must exercise caution when hiring movers.
Complaints have ranged from prices nearly doubling after belongings were loaded into moving trucks to possessions being “held hostage” when inflated bills went unpaid. A recent “Protect Your Move” federal campaign has armed residents with information and rights to combat a growing number of fraudulent businesses. Though state and federal efforts have uprooted unlicensed companies, homeowners must still be vigilant when choosing a moving service in NJ. Recent reports are showing that homeowners are still targeted – and victimized – by illicit companies.
On October 11, 2015 the New York Times issued the second of a two-part expose on Classic Moving Services, unearthing them when an undercover investigator “detailed the trail of lost property and dented furniture in the company’s wake, as well as a slew of complaints about last-minute, day-of-the-move price increases.“ Because of the intrepid work of an anonymous online researcher, this multi-named company was found and their accounts frozen. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. On November 24, 2015 Newswatch reported another victim in the battle against moving fraud, a resident whose prices suddenly doubled once his objects were in the moving truck.
Continued work on these campaigns are vital to keep the integrity within NJ moving companies, however homeowners may still find difficulty in trusting a moving service that exhibits principles within the boundaries of law.
Gibraltar Van Lines is a licensed local and long distance moving company that has been in business for over 40 years. Having earned an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, they have assisted in the moves of countless homeowners both within the state and in long distance moves. Below, they have provided some considerations to take when choosing a moving company to entrust with belongings.
A trustworthy moving company will not ask for a cash advance before providing service. Licensed businesses will perform moving services before collecting a check, and those who do not may be an illegitimate business. Residents may also ask for a business card or conduct an online search to ensure that they have a location registered as a business under the name they provided.
An understanding of rates can give residents peace-of-mind when it comes time to pay. Is fuel incorporated? Are there any additional charges? There are times of the year, and week, when moving companies raise pricing, but this can be avoided if the moving date is flexible.
Moving is already among the most stressful life events residents undergo. Having belongings “held hostage” or falling prey to unlicensed moving companies only makes moving more complicated. The professional, licensed movers at Gibraltar Van Lines are committed to providing residents of New Jersey with reliable and affordable moving services to safely transport belongings.
To learn more about moving within New Jersey and receive a free estimate, call the moving experts at Gibraltar Van Lines at (800) 262-3499 today!
Cal O'Herlihy, Gibraltar Van Lines, http://www.gibraltarvanlines.com/, +1 (800) 262-3499, [email protected]
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