Protect Yourself from Bandit Movers!

The strong housing market and other economic factors have spurred a rash of illegal, bandit movers. With the continued strength of California’s real estate market and the lowest interest rates in 40 years, the moving and storage industry is experiencing a high volume of residential and commercial moves within California this summer. Sadly, the very factors that have spurred residential and commercial moves have also ignited a rash of illegal or “bandit” movers who prey on consumers shopping by price.

Calls to the CMSA consumer information line are at an all time high. Eighty percent of the consumer calls are from victims of bandit movers – movers who appear to be legitimate in advertisements or on-line but, in fact, charge below market value prices, engage in unlawful practices, bully consumers into paying outrageous prices once the move is underway, and threaten to sell the personal goods if their demands are not fulfilled.

Most of the abuses result from moves booked on-line. Consumers are subject to potential fraud if they book a move over the phone or on-line without doing their homework. The CMSA suggests the following strategies to validate the legitimacy of a mover:

• Verify the license number with the CMSA or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state agency that regulates the moving and storage industry. Touching base with the CMSA is best because the association’s professional team knows its members – about 500 moving companies statewide. Furthermore, if the consumer has a problem with a move performed by a CMSA member, the trade association will intervene on the consumer’s behalf.

• Visit the physical location to ascertain the company’s level of professionalism.

Additionally, CMSA members are licensed, maintain professional liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance (a must because if a member of the moving crew is injured while on your property you could be held liable if the mover does not have appropriate insurance coverage), provide training for their staff to ensure a professional move, maintain clean moving vans and equipment, and adhere to a strict professional code of conduct to uphold the industry’s standards for service, pricing and professionalism.

May we also suggest that you plan and coordinate large moves at least a month in advance to give yourself time to properly investigate movers and obtain written estimates. Also, take a few moments to visit the other menu topics in this section of the CMSA website. The information provided will help you avoid serious issues with you. relocation.

For more information or assistance call
(714) 236-2060 or (800) 672-1415