Congress has focused important attention on the problem of rogue movers through hearings and funding of a consumer outreach program. This attention has helped create the first partnership between federal, state and local officials, and the moving industry itself.

Partnership
Partners include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); state attorneys general; and local law enforcement agencies. They also include such moving industry and consumer groups as the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus. This new partnership will greatly improve coordination among government and industry partners who are trying to prevent moving fraud.

Tougher Enforcement
The government has strengthened enforcement activities. There are 57 part-time and nine full-time investigators devoted to the problem of moving fraud. The full-time investigators focus on the "hot spot" states of California, Florida, New York and New Jersey. These investigators have levied fines of more than $1.3 million from 2000 to 2005 against movers who fail to comply with federal regulations.

For example, in March 2005, federal investigators made surprise inspections on more than 80 suspected rogue movers in South Florida, a popular moving destination. As a result, 46 companies were found to be no longer operating, 36 compliance reviews were completed, one safety referral was made, and four enforcement actions were conducted.

State and local authorities such as consumer affairs divisions, attorneys general, departments of transportation and licensing agencies, are also active in combating rogue movers. They provide information to consumers, handle consumer complaints, confirm state licensing compliance and enlist local law enforcement agencies as needed.

Attorneys general in states considered rogue mover "hot spots" have been crucial in combating moving fraud. These states include California, Florida, New York and New Jersey.

• California's Attorney General co-sponsored a tough new statute regulating movers and strengthening penalties for violations.
• Florida's Attorney General has a complaint system, provides moving tips, and makes moving companies' business histories available to the public.
• New York's Attorney General coordinates with the State Department of Transportation to shut down fraudulent moving companies.
• And New Jersey's Attorney General licenses moving companies and provides moving tips, complaint forms and resources for adjudicating claims against movers.

FMCSA has established a Web site (http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov) and a 24-hour toll-free hotline (1-888-368-7238) to receive consumer complaints. Our overriding goal is to help consumers learn more about household goods transactions so that they can make better informed choices in selecting and negotiating with a moving company. Armed with knowledge about your rights and appropriate business practices on the part of movers, consumers will be less likely to fall victim to unscrupulous moving companies.