FMCSA to crack down on scam household goods movers and brokers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is kicking off a nationwide enforcement effort targeting fraudulent household goods movers and brokers.

On Monday, May 20, the FMCSA announced the launch of “Operation Protect Your Move,” an enforcement sweep targeting interstate household goods (HHG) movers and brokers to ensure compliance with federal regulations ahead of the summer moving season.

The FMCSA says that Operation Protect Your Move will target HHG movers and brokers with the highest numbers of consumer complaints. 

A similar enforcement effort that took place in the spring of 2023 uncovered more than 1000 regulation violations and resulted a civil penalty criminal case that is currently pending in California.

“Americans deserve a fair deal when they move into a new home—and we’re cracking down on moving companies that hold people’s possessions hostage,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This initiative will build on last year’s progress holding scammers accountable and is another example of the measures the Biden administration is taking to better protect consumers.” 

“We take our consumer protection role seriously and aim to help educate and protect those who may be moving their household goods from one state to another,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless. “We are committed to this work, and we are putting forth even more resources to make a greater impact, including increasing the number of HHG investigators on staff and establishing additional partnerships with state attorneys general offices.”