Benn
Eleva,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 08, 2011
I am a over-the-road trucker with over 19 years of experience and I have heard of this scam happening all the time. My suggestion is to pay the money that they claim you owe since I assume you want your stuff, right? Then follow these directions.
Since I am unable to post a web link you need to follow these steps to fill a federal complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration which also over sees moving companies (such as the one you used).
Google or yahoo...this: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration
this is the federal agency that regulates the trucking industy, truckers, moving carriers (interstate)
click on the link to the FMCSA website
on the website, I know its confusing so I will walk you thru it, ok?
on the main site...(middle, right side) you see the words "Quick Links"...then in that list...fifth line you need to click the one that says: "Report Safety Violations".
The next page is where you can report all types of motor carrier violations, including household good violations (which sounds as what is happening to you here).....
Third line...click on the "Submit a Household Goods Consumer Complaint"...next page click the first line "interstate operations" (means out of state move)
Then read the next page...you can now file a complaint online or call it in...at this point its up to you. I have filed a few complaints with the FMCSA on unsafe motor carriers (now former employers) and I will tell you online is easy and once you submit the information, you will receive a call back from a telephone interview agent from the FMCSA office within a few days. They are calling to review or ask for more info is all..to make sure your complaint is complete and routed to the right person.
Then normally within a month an investigation will take place. Most likely you will be again contacted by an investigator asking for further details (including any documentation you have, including photos, names, etc) and that person will be your contact all the way thru the investigation.
THAT is it...I hope you were able to understand the steps here. While I have never dealt with a moving complaint, if its anything like a motor carrier complaint, you will find the process to be easy and the federal government here is your friend and will work with and answer any and all questions you have (the investigator will do that I mean).
Good luck and hope you enjoy your new location too.