Undercover Sting Cites Unlicensed Somerset County Moving Company

RARITAN, NJ — A Somerset County moving company was among 21 unlicensed moving companies to be cited and fined each $2,500 by the Division of Consumer Affairs Friday.

Top Shelf Movers in Raritan was among those cited following “Operation Mother’s Attic,” a covert sting in which Division investigators posed as consumers to catch moving companies suspected of operating without a license.

Undercover investigators used a public storage facility in Bernardsville in late October to book movers advertising online to transport personal possessions from the storage facility to another location in the state.

Movers showing up over the five-day investigation were met by Division investigators, agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a transportation compliance unit of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to the Notices of Violations (NOVs), the sting resulted in seven arrests by NJSP for possession of marijuana under fifty grams and one outstanding traffic warrant. Three individuals were detained for ICE violations.

“Public movers are often granted unfettered access to consumers’ homes, and entrusted with their most valuable possessions. To protect consumers from fraud and other risks, we must make sure these individuals are properly vetted and regulated through our licensing system,” said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. “Operation Mother’s Attic is a proactive approach to weeding out and penalizing unlicensed movers who are operating outside the Division’s oversight.”

State law requires all intrastate movers (those performing residential moves that both begin and end in New Jersey) to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. These movers must also protect consumers' goods by maintaining cargo liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and bodily injury and property damage insurance. They must register each moving vehicle they use in New Jersey, and keep the vehicles properly marked and insured, in compliance with State regulations. Movers also must provide consumers with a written estimate of the costs of the move. There are approximately 270 licensed intrastate movers in New Jersey.

The companies issued an NOV and a $2,500 civil penalty are:

• QMS PLUS PRO MOVERS, Paramus, NJ
• HOUSE MOVERS, Secaucus, NJ
• ARON DAY MOV. & DELIVERY, Nyack, NY
• M&M MOVING & STORAGE, Woodland Park, NJ
• ABC MOVING SERVICES, Phillipsburg, NJ
• MOBILE MOVERS, Helmetta, NJ
• RELOCATION SOLUTION MOVING, Old Bridge, NJ
• SJS MOVING & TRANSPORTATION, Rahway, NJ
• RUSH HOUR MOVING, Marlton, NJ
• ROUND ONE MOVING, Trenton, NJ
• SMART MOVE INDUSTRIES, Clifton, NJ
• TOP MOVERS, Linden, NJ
• R&B MOVERS, Runnemede, NJ
• ACTION PIANO MOVING, New City, NY
• KEYBOARD EXPRESS, Toms River, NJ
• GO TO M&S, Staten Island, NY
• DELTA RELOCATION, Union City, NJ
• ELVIS DIRT CHEAP MOVING, Philadelphia, PA
• TOP SHELF MOVERS, Raritan, NJ
• MORRISTOWN MOVING SERVICES, Waldwick, NJ
• MOVING SOLUTIONS, Bayonne, NJ

Three other companies are under review by the Division as a result of the sting operation.

Advice for Consumers:

Before hiring a mover, review the tips available from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs:

• Call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to verify the license status of any mover you consider hiring. Ask whether consumer complaints have been filed against the mover.

• Obtain a written estimate from the mover you select. The cost can be estimated on an hourly rate, by weight and miles traveled, or by cubic measurement.

• Never pack jewelry, money, or valuable documents with your goods to be moved. The mover is not responsible for items of extraordinary value.

• Check your goods as they are being delivered. If any are lost or damaged, notify the mover immediately. A damage claim can be filed up to 90 days after the move date.

• Unless you purchase additional coverage, the mover is required to compensate you only up to 60 cents per pound, per article, for damages.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

(Image via Morguefile)

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