Movers Charged In Statewide Rogue Movers Sting
April 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Moving News
It seems that the illegal movers (rogue movers) are getting their just deserts in Florida.
A lot of new reports are coming out of Florida about their statewide sting of rogue movers. And if you notice many of these seem like they are good and upstanding movers, but if you notice these people are just out and out criminals.
Now you need to understand, many of these companies were targeted by the police because they had numerous complaints about their illegal services.
So yes, there are many companies out there that are not licensed and insured but get few complaints and these companies are left alone. So do you your research. If you use a rogue mover make sure you check them out and view their complaint history with the BBB or with the state you are in.
Here is the article:
Moving company owner charged in statewide sweep
April 03, 2010 5:18 AM
Jeff Barker
Daily NewsTALLAHASSEE – The owner of Good Moves Moving Company was among those charged in a statewide sweep targeting unregistered movers.
Randy Stokes, 54, the owner of the Fort Walton Beach-based business, has been charged with operating an unregistered moving company, according to a Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services press release. Stokes had previously been issued a written notice from the Division of Consumer Services telling him his company needed to be registered.
Nine other moving company owners across the state were also charged in the sweep, which ended Thursday night. The businesses were identified by consumer and industry complaints.
The department set up operations where officers portrayed citizens who needed to move, according to the release. After deals were completed, the owners were charged.
Florida law requires moving companies to register with the department before they conduct business. Owners must show proof of liability insurance.
Failure to register is a misdemeanor violation, with a maximum penalty of one year in prison and up to a $1,000 fine.
A list of the other owners charged in the sweep
Denzel Lockley, 27, the owner of Red Truck Moving in Tallahassee.
Modestus Germain Fevrier, 33, the owner of Express Moving Solutions out of Jacksonville.
Azad Basar Sahbudak, 31, owner of Atlantis Moving & Storage in Jacksonville Beach. The department is pursuing other legal action against this moving company because they were notified on two previous occasions that they needed to register with the Department. They were also previously fined $1000.00 and $5000.00, which they have failed to pay.
Derrick Maurice Wilhite, 41, who worked with Sahbudak was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on a local warrant charging him with felony criminal mischief. He was taken to the Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Facility in lieu of a total bond of $5,003.00.
Jordan Seth Speisman, 28, owner of UF Mover Guys in Gainesville.
Fredrick Williams Pohl, 33, owner of GatorSaver Movers also in Gainesville.
Geary S Adams, 55, co owner of Furniture World Moving Service in Okeechobee.
David Dawson, 33, owner of Urban Movers in Sarasota.
Kevin B. Pierre, 38, owner of Pierre Byers Moving in Pembroke Pines.
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Illegal Movers Hire Sex Offenders And Criminals
November 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Moving Company Reviews, Moving News, Moving scams
When you hire illegal rogue movers you are not only taking a risk of being scammed, but you are also letting known sex offenders and convicted criminals know where you live.
Illegal movers (also called “rogue movers”) often hire the cheapest labor they can find. Many of these labors are sex offenders and criminals. And we are not talking about minor offenses either people; we are talking major felonies.
Recently a state agency did a sting of movers and what they found was appalling. Here is what they found:
[M]any of the subjects who posed as movers had felony convictions. Some of the crimes were Rape I, Robbery II, Assault IV, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and drug charges. Two were registered sex offenders.
You may not be aware of these little things, but you cannot trust the workers of illegal movers. These people have already demonstrated a lack of morals and ethics, so what is preventing them from stealing from you? Are you moving with young children?
…You may want to re-think hiring those low-baller illegal rogue movers.
Here in Michigan I have reported several moving companies that may not be your first option to hire. These guys have all proven (to me) that they are lawless, and in my research I have found some horrifying facts…
Greater Michigan Movers: The owner Mike has a criminal record. Last year the police raided his home and confiscated his computer because it was filled with child porn.
AAfordable Movers: They are also pimps. Google their phone number and you’ll find several listings for hookers that they placed on Craigslist and Backpage. They call themselves “Angel’s Angels”.
A Better Move: A good portion of their labor force are criminals. It has been reported that they even had hire one individual that was on a tether (ankle bracelet.)
And this is just starting to scratch the surface.
There is tons of dirt I could shovel at you, but I believe you get the picture.
So what you need to do is hire legitimate moving companies. Licensed and insured companies have to put their work force through background checks. Of course that doesn’t mean it is full-proof but you are better served and can rest easier knowing that you are getting the best.
I wrote this not to scare you, but to inform you. Now that you know the truth you can avoid these illegal movers and have a stress free move.
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Illegal Rogue Movers Busted In Oregon
November 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Moving News, Moving scams
In the latest war on movers, Oregon has taken on setting up a sting to catch illegal movers (also called “rogue movers“) in the act.
A little history lesson for you folks. Oregon is embroiled in a large war on movers. They had, up to recently, a very oppressive law which basically hindered and stopped movers from ever becoming licensed and insured. You can read about that here.
That law has been nixed.
However, Oregon has decided it will now start going after the movers again in new sting operations.
Here is an article detailing what the found and how they punished these movers:
In an effort to ‘crack down’ on unlicensed and uninsured moving operations, the Oregon Department of Transportation partnered with Beaverton Police Department on an undercover enforcement operation. Consumer protection was a key goal of the operation.
Illegal household goods movers often advertise on web sites or bulletin boards offering to help people with a move for a fee. Many consumers don’t realize that these “companies” don’t have legal operating authority or insurance and in some cases, safe vehicles and drivers. Consumers who choose an unlicensed mover, whether intentionally or unintentionally, may have little or no recourse for loss or damage to their property, may be charged higher than normal fees, and may be at higher risk for property or identity theft.
In today’s operation, ODOT Motor Carrier inspectors and Beaverton police officers looked for two things. First, was the mover properly certified with the state to offer moving services? Second, was the mover’s vehicle and driver properly registered with the state and was the vehicle in safe working condition?
ODOT Motor Carrier staff identified non-certified moving companies, then made appointments to meet at a decoy house. Upon arrival, the movers were met by ODOT and law enforcement officers who checked drivers and trucks for any violations.
During today’s operation there were 23 vehicle related violations issued; no vehicles were placed out of service for safety violations. Additionally, two citations were issued for other violations; one for driving while suspended and one for failure to provide proof of insurance.
The most commonly written citation was (ORS 825.100) Holding Out For-Hire Without Operating Authority; which holds a $472.00 fine. Some of the other citations were for no medical cards, no fire extinguishers, no USDOT markings or no warning devices.
Twelve “companies” had been booked for a moving date today. Nine of the twelve showed and were issued the various citations.
Past operations in Fairview, Bend, Eugene, Canby, Medford and Portland resulted in multiple citations for Operating without Proper Authority and other violations, and multiple arrests were made for outstanding warrants and parole violations.
Although no arrests were made on today’s sting operation, many of the subjects who posed as movers had felony convictions. Some of the crimes were Rape I, Robbery II, Assault IV, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and drug charges. Two were registered sex offenders.
Moving is a regulated industry in Oregon. Any company or person that offers household goods moving services must be certified by ODOT. The companies also run background checks on perspective employees.
Certified movers are trained to follow industry standards for loading, moving and unloading property. In addition, the companies are required to charge approved, reasonable rates. They must also carry liability and property damage insurance and the vehicles must meet federal safety standards.
This website has over 200 articles teaching you how you can avoid these illegal rogue movers and avoid moving scams.
