How to avoid Moving and Transportation scams!

MOVING STORIES		May 10, 2003- On-time Van Lines was found guilty of extortion. The scam reportedly started with a low-ball $2,000 quote to transport peoples' possessions. Once delivered, they demanded up to $10,000 for delivery of their property. One person spent 6 months without furniture, another waited one year. When both received their damaged, moldy items, they were expected to pay additional fees. This Brooklyn-based business has operated for more than a decade. Four men were arrested in 2002 for related charges. They've been convicted in federal court to serve up to 7 years. It is believed that most were lured in by the "blizzard of lies". Most common was the low-balling of prices: lower prices, but more hassles to deal with. Never settle with a company due to their lower prices. Always check them out before deciding. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.

AUTO TRANSPORT STORIES		February 3, 2004- Bill Southerland (owner of Southerland Auto Transport) was arrested on suspicion of mail and wire fraud overnight. He was known mainly for defrauding customers across the country when transporting their vehicles. Located in California, the local Better Business Bureau has received 307 complaints from customers just within the past two years. Many of these scams occurred when the customer was given a time frame for pickup of their vehicle, but then no one ever came to pick it up. With every "order" they would charge a non-refundable $200 fee, regardless of whether the car was transported or not. In addition, there was also a $200 per hour charge for any "nontransport issues meant to harm the process". If these fees were protested, or not paid, by the customer, then there were always additional charges applied, also.