I signed a contract with Best Movers of America to move my household belongings from a storage unit in Raleigh, NC to Detroit. The contract was for $6,000 and clearly stated that it was for 15,000 lbs, and also included the dimensions of the storage unit. When the crew showed up several hours late, they brought a very small truck and said they could not move all of the items, but said if we would give them another 6,000 they could move it all. I had already given them an $1,800 deposit on the move and we went back and forth for hours. The crew eventually left with nothing and the company refused to return my deposit. There were at least 25 telephone calls I made to the company, but they refused to give me back my deposit even though they unilaterally breached the agreement. They later said they would move my belongings for $8,500 but I had to pay them right then and there. I asked them to send me a revised contract with those terms but they refused.
I contracted with another local company in Raleigh since Best Movers of America said they could not do the job for the contractual price. Donna at Best Movers of America then called the new moving company I was using and said her name was Mary and that she was my wife. She was apparently trying to undermine my agreement with the new company. The new company I am using has documented this call via caller ID, and will be a witness to this fraudulent impersonation.
Best Movers Of America is a scam company and NO ONE should be doing business with them at all. They collect deposits and then send out a truck that is totally inadequate to complete the job, and later try to get more money from you.
I intend to report Best Movers of America, along with employees Donna & Ron, to the Better Business Bureau, and the State's Attorney General in Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan. I am going to push for criminal charges of wire fraud with the Department of Justice since they took the deposit from my bank account in Michigan and wired it to Florida. The Wire Fraud Act makes it illegal to use interstate wire communications systems, which ostensibly includes the internet, to commit a fraud to obtain money or property. In addition, computer-aided theft involving the use of interstate wires or mails is considered criminal. Also, thirty-three states have enacted their own laws to combat computer crime, while eleven more have laws pending in state legislatures. Almost all of the present state laws criminalize using a computer as an instrument of fraud.
I'm filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation, I am contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) because this was an interstate theft and falls under the FBI's financial crimes division. I am calling the Consumer Complaint hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238), I'm filing a formal complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) because all moving companies are required to follow strict regulations or risk losing their license to do business.
The U.S. Secret Service also maintains a Financial Crimes Division (FCD) that plans, reviews, and coordinates criminal investigations involving Financial Systems Crimes, including bank fraud; telecommunications fraud (cellular and hard wire); computer fraud; fraud involved false impersonation, and electronic funds transfer (EFT) done for fraudulent purposes.
I will also absolutely litigate this matter and ask the court for my deposit along with attorney fees, other significant expenses I have had to incur as a result of this fraud perpetuated by Best Movers of America, and any other sanctions the court sees fit to impose on this criminal organization. Upon the advice of my attorney, we will determine if a class action lawsuit is in the best interests of all Best Movers of America's previous customers. We will petition the court to revoke the operating license for this disreputable company called Best Movers of America, and to impose additional personal fines and criminal penalties against the agents of Best Movers of America, Donna & Ron, for voluntarily participating in a scheme to defraud the public.
Hugh
Taylor,#2Author of original report
Sat, May 31, 2014
UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT
As you read from my original complaint, I was initially very unhappy with the aforementioned circumstances as stated; however, Ron, from Best Movers of America, contacted me right away and resolved each one of my concerns to my complete satisfaction!
Ron was professional at all times, and reiterated to me that his only interest was keeping all of his customers happy. He certainly accomplished that goal with me.
Ron clearly has a lot of responsibilities managing the business and all of the people working there, but he still took the time to get involved with my issues personally, and everything was then taken care of promptly and courteously.
Throughout this entire ordeal, Ron and Best Movers of America remained kind, helpful, and available to speak with me at various times during the day, and then Ron skillfully navigated us to a resolution that was both generous and favorable to my family. I am grateful to Ron for all his assistance.
Ron is a tremendous asset to Best Movers of America, and a credit to the moving industry. It was a true pleasure working with Ron and Best Movers of America, and I have no reservations stating that Ron and his team could also be a big help to any and all of you, too. Best of luck with your upcoming move!