The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has launched a newly designed Website with resources to help consumers protect themselves from fraudulent or unscrupulous interstate household goods moving companies. The Website – www.protectyourmove.gov – includes a user-friendly database that allows visitors to look up interstate moving companies by state or by name and to review both the consumer complaint history as well as the company’s on-road safety performance records.
“If you are planning an interstate move, your first stop should be the Website,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “You can avoid rogue movers by following the important advice provided at www.protectyourmove.gov.”
A new feature of the Website allows state consumer protection agencies to easily update state contact information for shippers who have questions about household goods movers.
The Website features a new public service announcement, “Don’t Be a Victim,” that focuses on ways consumer can prevent moving fraud.
“Moving companies that ignore consumers’ rights are just as likely to ignore federal safety regulations that protect everyone who shares the roads with them,” says FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “The database allows consumers to not only look up a company’s complaint history, but also its safety record and how it compares to companies nationally. I strongly urge that safety be a principal factor in deciding who to employ to transport your possessions.”
The Website contains resources covering consumer rights – and responsibilities – for individuals employing an interstate moving company. Additional material includes tips for spotting rogue movers, checklists for consumers and information outlining all federal regulations and policies that govern interstate moves.
