\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFlorida is a hotspot for moving scams, and the playbook is familiar: a low quote, a signed contract packed with fine print, and then a sudden demand for thousands more when your belongings are already on the truck.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsPalm Springs resident Rose Marie DiTolla said she was quoted $400 to move from one apartment to another in the same complex. But she says on moving day, the crew refused to unload unless she paid thousands more.\u201cMa\u2019am, you owe us $4,400,\u201d DiTolla said. \u201cI was devastated. I\u2019m still crying about it.\u201dIt is a tactic reported by victims across Florida, and even when people call police, they are often told it is a civil dispute tied to what was signed in the contract.\u201cIf you look at these contracts that they sign, it\u2019s got the fine print and they go, well, if anything changes, we can switch the price and we\u2019ll give you a new estimate,\u201d said Bill Mulholland of ARC Relocation.Mulholland\u2019s company has helped launch a free app called Agoyu, designed to make it harder for scam movers to trap people after the fact.Users record video of their rooms and items using their phone, enter the distance of the move, and the app uses AI to generate an estimate of what a reputable mover should charge. The goal: fewer \u201csurprise\u201d add-ons when a mover claims they did not know about a wall unit, extra stairs, or a long walk from the truck.Mulholland says the app also points consumers to movers that have already been vetted, with information intended to help people check legitimacy before booking.\u201cYou can click on their US Department of Transportation license. You can see how many accidents they\u2019ve been in, how many complaints they\u2019ve had filed, the last time their equipment\u2019s been inspected,\u201d Mulholland said.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Experts say scammers often dodge consequences by shutting down and reopening under a new name once complaints pile up, making prevention critical.\u201cAnd what these bad guys do is once enough complaints have been filed, they shut down that company and they open up a new one,\u201d Mulholland said.Florida passed tougher moving scam laws last year, and the Florida Attorney General has issued warnings. Federal authorities have also investigated certain moving fraud rings, and in at least one case, operators have received multi-year prison sentences.If you believe you have been scammed, here is a list of agencies to contact and steps to document your complaint.HELP:Federal Agencies\u2022 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) \u2014 They accept complaints about moving scams (especially interstate moves).National Consumer Complaint Database: submit online or call 1-888-368-7238 (8 a.m.\u20138 p.m. ET weekdays). FMCSA+1\u2022 U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (OIG) \u2014 You can report fraud or hostage-load situations.Hotline: 1-800-424-9071Email: hotline@oig.dot.govMail: DOT OIG, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590. FMCSA+1\u2022 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) \u2014 The nation\u2019s consumer protection agency takes fraud reports, including moving scams.File a complaint online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Federal Trade CommissionFlorida State & Local Options\u2022 Florida Attorney General\u2019s Office, Consumer Protection Division \u2014 Handles statewide fraud complaints.Call 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or file online at MyFloridaLegal.com. My Florida Legal\u2022 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) \u2014 The state\u2019s consumer complaint clearinghouse; regulates intrastate movers.Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or file a complaint online via the FDACS consumer services page. Florida Department of Agriculture\u2022 County Consumer Affairs Offices \u2014 In South Florida counties, local consumer protection divisions can help mediate or refer complaints. For example:\u2003\u2022 Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs \u2013 800-435-7352 (state hotline also covers this). Palm Beach County\u2003\u2022 Broward County Consumer Protection \u2013 Phone complaints at 954-765-1700. Broward County\u2003\u2022 Miami-Dade Consumer Protection Division \u2013 786-469-2333 for mediation and complaints. Miami-Dade CountyOther Resources\u2022 Better Business Bureau (BBB) \u2014 Not a government agency, but you can file a complaint that goes directly to the moving company and is publicly tracked. File at BBB.org\/file-a-complaint. American Bar Association\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Florida is a hotspot for moving scams, and the playbook is familiar: a low quote, a signed contract packed with fine print, and then a sudden demand for thousands more when your belongings are already on the truck.<\/p>\n
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News<\/a><\/p>\n Palm Springs resident Rose Marie DiTolla said she was quoted $400 to move from one apartment to another in the same complex. But she says on moving day, the crew refused to unload unless she paid thousands more.<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, you owe us $4,400,\u201d DiTolla said. \u201cI was devastated. I\u2019m still crying about it.\u201d<\/p>\n It is a tactic reported by victims across Florida, and even when people call police, they are often told it is a civil dispute tied to what was signed in the contract.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at these contracts that they sign, it\u2019s got the fine print and they go, well, if anything changes, we can switch the price and we\u2019ll give you a new estimate,\u201d said Bill Mulholland of ARC Relocation.<\/p>\n Mulholland\u2019s company has helped launch a free app called Agoyu, designed to make it harder for scam movers to trap people after the fact.<\/p>\n Users record video of their rooms and items using their phone, enter the distance of the move, and the app uses AI to generate an estimate of what a reputable mover should charge. The goal: fewer \u201csurprise\u201d add-ons when a mover claims they did not know about a wall unit, extra stairs, or a long walk from the truck.<\/p>\n Mulholland says the app also points consumers to movers that have already been vetted, with information intended to help people check legitimacy before booking.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can click on their US Department of Transportation license. You can see how many accidents they\u2019ve been in, how many complaints they\u2019ve had filed, the last time their equipment\u2019s been inspected,\u201d Mulholland said.<\/p>\n Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Experts say scammers often dodge consequences by shutting down and reopening under a new name once complaints pile up, making prevention critical.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what these bad guys do is once enough complaints have been filed, they shut down that company and they open up a new one,\u201d Mulholland said.<\/p>\n Florida passed tougher moving scam laws last year, and the Florida Attorney General has issued warnings. Federal authorities have also investigated certain moving fraud rings, and in at least one case, operators have received multi-year prison sentences.<\/p>\n If you believe you have been scammed, here is a list of agencies to contact and steps to document your complaint.<\/p>\n HELP:<\/p>\n Federal Agencies<\/p>\n \u2022 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) \u2014 They accept complaints about moving scams (especially interstate moves). \u2022 U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (OIG) \u2014 You can report fraud or hostage-load situations. \u2022 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) \u2014 The nation\u2019s consumer protection agency takes fraud reports, including moving scams. Florida State & Local Options<\/p>\n \u2022 Florida Attorney General\u2019s Office, Consumer Protection Division \u2014 Handles statewide fraud complaints. \u2022 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) \u2014 The state\u2019s consumer complaint clearinghouse; regulates intrastate movers. \u2022 County Consumer Affairs Offices \u2014 In South Florida counties, local consumer protection divisions can help mediate or refer complaints. For example: Other Resources<\/p>\n
National Consumer Complaint Database: submit online or call 1-888-368-7238 (8 a.m.\u20138 p.m. ET weekdays). FMCSA+1<\/a><\/p>\n
Hotline: 1-800-424-9071
Email: hotline@oig.dot.gov<\/a>
Mail: DOT OIG, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590. FMCSA+1<\/a><\/p>\n
File a complaint online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Federal Trade Commission<\/a><\/p>\n
Call 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or file online at MyFloridaLegal.com. My Florida Legal<\/a><\/p>\n
Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or file a complaint online via the FDACS consumer services page. Florida Department of Agriculture<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2003\u2022 Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs \u2013 800-435-7352 (state hotline also covers this). Palm Beach County<\/a>
\u2003\u2022 Broward County Consumer Protection \u2013 Phone complaints at 954-765-1700. Broward County<\/a>
\u2003\u2022 Miami-Dade Consumer Protection Division \u2013 786-469-2333 for mediation and complaints. Miami-Dade County<\/a><\/p>\n