Violations Handed Out for Unlicensed Movers Convening in Bridgewater

A total of 25 unlicensed movers were charged with violations and civil penalties following an investigation that led police to a facility in Bridgewater, according to a press release from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Tuesday.

According to the release, fines of up to $2,500 each will be assessed for each of the unlicensed movers involved in the operation.

The sting operation, according to the release, took place from June 27 through June 30, as investigators from the Division of Consumer Affairs posed as consumers needing to move items out of storage and into a house. The release said the investigators made appointments with "movers" who had advertised on Craigslist and other websites.

Out of the 25 movers contacted, the release said, 17 companies responded by sending workers to Somerset Self Storage, on Van Veghten Drive in Bridgewater.

The Bridgewater facility was not charged in any crime.

Once at the facility, the release said, the movers were questioned by investigators and state troopers.

“According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, over 37 million people across the country change residences each year,” Attorney General Paula T. Dow said in the release. “Our laws are designed to ensure that those who entrust their moves to companies operating within our state, don't fall prey to fly-by-night operators who have little regard for consumers or their cherished belongings.”

State law requires that all movers operating within New Jersey must be licensed, and are required to protect goods with cargo liability insurances, workers' compensation insurance and bodily injury and property damage insurance.

“Last year alone, the Division of Consumer Affairs received nearly 160 consumer complaints against moving companies,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, in the release. “In many instances, predatory movers arbitrarily jacked up the total cost of a move by as much as 1,000 percent over bogus estimates, and then held hostage consumers’ belongings until the outrageous billing demands were met. The bad actors don’t just harm consumers, they harm the reputation of an entire industry. By requiring movers to be licensed, we’re requiring accountability.”

According to the release, one worker who is employed by Premiere Relocation Services arrived in Bridgewater during the investigation in a P.C. Richard & Son delivery truck, and said he worked for the company but had "borrowed" the truck without approval.

Premiere Relocation Services is a licensed mover, the release said, but will receive a notice of violation and civil penalty because the driver arrived in an unlicensed vehicle.

The release also said that one moving company worker, found in the operation, was arrested by state troopers on the scene because of an outstanding warrant—he was later released to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Two other movers had suspended drivers' licenses, the release said, two others attempted to flee the scene and Just In Time Moving & Delivery had its vehicle impounded at the scene because it was operating without registration.

In total, the release said, 25 unlicensed movers will receive notices of violation and civil penalties, up to $2,500 each. The penalties can be reduced to $1,250 if they apply for a license within 30 days, the release said.

According to the release, workers from these 17 companies will receive such notices: Andres Acosta, advertising as "Daniel," of Guttenberg; Best Movers, of New York; Fedaa Elabed, advertising as "Mike," of Cliffside Park; Frank Wood Transportation, of Bordentown; Helping 2 Move, of Bayonne; House Movers, of Jersey City; H.P. Vandevere & Son, of Roselle; JC's Moving, of Sewell; Just In Time Moving & Delivery, of Westhampton; Mighty Men Movers, of Maple Shade; Ortiz Trucking, of Jersey City; Stevenson's Movers, of East Orange; Stress Less Moving, of New York; A Van and a Hand, of North Plainfield; Van Express, of Glen Ridge; Victor Csik, advertising as "James," of Asbury Park; and Premiere Relocation Services, of Edison.

In addition, seven companies that advertised for work, but did not show up in Bridgewater, will also received notices of violations, the release said.

The release provided several tips to residents looking for moving services, including reviewing tips from the Division of Consumer Affairs; obtaining a written estimate from the mover; never packing jewelry or other valuables; and checking goods as they are delivered.

Contact the State Division of Consumer Affairs with any concerns by visiting the website at NJConsumerAffairs.gov, or calling 1-800-242-5846.