Salem moving companies cited for illegal moving

Salem moving companies cited for illegal moving

 

(Salem, OR, Nov. 1, 2016) The Oregon Department of Transportation and Salem Police Department cited two illegal moving companies Tuesday in an undercover enforcement action in Salem.

 

In the joint effort, ODOT’s Motor Carrier Transportation Division and the Salem Police Department checked for compliance with safety regulations and with state laws regulating transportation of household goods. Two moving companies, Double B Restoration & Piano Moving and Mac's Moving were located through public forums, including the Internet, and were asked to a conduct a household goods move by an ODOT employee posing as a customer.

 

• Both company drivers were cited for suspended driver licenses.
• The drivers were also cited for the alleged transportation of household goods without a valid certificate, which carries a civil penalty of $1000.
• The Mac's Moving company truck was towed from the scene.

 

This was the first household goods enforcement for both Double B Restoration & Piano Moving and Mac's Moving.

 

In recent years, ODOT and law enforcement officers have conducted household mover enforcement operations in communities around the state. Operations in Salem, Eugene, Fairview, Bend, Beaverton, Canby, Medford, Ashland and Portland have resulted in multiple citations for operating without proper authority and other violations and, on occasion, arrests for outstanding criminal warrants and parole violations.

 

ODOT urges citizens to use certified movers—and to check ahead of time

Moving is a regulated industry in Oregon. To be approved for an Oregon Intrastate Household Goods Certificate, an applicant must obtain a business license, file cargo insurance, conduct criminal background checks on the owners and employees, and demonstrate through the state's household goods application process that it is willing, fit and able to provide services sought in the application in conformance with Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules. Certified movers are regularly audited to ensure compliance with the regulations.

 

Generally, illegal movers – those without the authority to move household goods – have no storefront, provide little information to the consumer and offer little or no recourse for settling disputes. Unscrupulous movers have been known to demand extra money, sometimes thousands of dollars, before unloading personal property. In some cases they don’t deliver your belongings at all.

 

ODOT keeps a list of certified movers

The best way consumers can protect themselves during the moving process is to hire a certified moving company. Information, including consumer tips and a list of certified companies, is available on the ODOT Motor Carrier Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/pages/movers.aspx.

 

For more information: Dave Thompson, 503-860-8021, david.h.thompson@odot.state.or.us