Unlicensed Old Bridge Moving Company Fined: State

Old Bridge, NJ - Have you ever hired Soho Moving & Storage, based out of Old Bridge?

They’ve been operating without a license, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) announced Thursday.

Soho Moving & Storage, with an Old Bridge mailing address but a New York City (212) phone number, was one of 21 alleged unlicensed movers who were charged following an undercover investigation, according to the DCA, which operates under the state Attorney General.

They face a civil penalty of $2,500, but have 30 days to obtain a license and reduce the fine by 50 percent.

The DCA conducted the undercover sting in November of last year, when investigators posed as customers who needed items moved within the state. Moving companies were found through advertising on internet postings and online message boards.

5 moving company workers arrested

As part of the sting, State Police found 95 violations during mechanical inspections of the moving vans and trucks, with one truck impounded.

Five moving company employees were arrested on outstanding warrants, although the AG’s office did not specify from which companies.

“Consumers need to do their homework before hiring a moving company in order to avoid fraud,” Steve Lee, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, said. “Consumers should beware of low-ball pricing and always make sure the moving company is licensed by the State.”

State law requires all intrastate movers to be licensed with the Division of Community Affairs, maintain 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. Movers also must provide consumers with a written estimate of the costs of the move.

All 21 companies issued a Notice of Violation are:

• ABC Moving, a/k/a “Official Moving & Storage,” Brooklyn, New York
• A Precision Movers, Belmar
• Beastman Movers, Northfield
• Black Moon Movers, North Bergen
• Desoto Movers, Vineland
• Edison Movers, a/k/a “M&M Moving & Storage,” Astoria, New York
• Emmanuel Moving & Cleaning Service, Elizabeth
• 4 Brothers Moving, Garfield
• Garden City Movers a/k/a “NJ State Moving Inc.,” Elizabeth
• Hezzy’s In & Out Moving, Elmwood Park
• IC Moving, Princeton
• James Grodon Jr., Milford
• Master Movers, Cherry Hill
• Mike Davis Pro Service, Cranford
• Moverland, a/k/a “Manhattan Movers,” a/k/a “Hoboken Movers,” Newark
• Northeastern Van Lines, Queens, New York
• Rommel Service, Woodland Park
• Rowell’s Moving and Hauling, Pleasantville
• Soho Moving & Storage, Old Bridge
• Stevenson’s Moving, East Orange
• TGS Moving, Newark