May 14, 2013 By King Relocation

Imagine you’ve accepted a new job that requires you to relocate, or you’ve been promoted to a position that involves a cross-country move. Whatever the case may be, your company has most likely given you a “lump sum” amount to spend on your relocation.

Looking for the best deal possible, you scour the Internet for moving companies and find one that is willing to provide you with an estimate over-the-phone or via e-mail. The company doesn’t offer on-site inspection and wants you to pay up front for the entire move, but your lump sum will more than cover the estimated costs of the move, so you immediately sign up, patting yourself on the back for finding such a great deal!

On moving day, the company shows up with an unmarked truck, loads your household goods and drives away. A few days later, you arrive at your destination, expecting to find your moving truck ready and waiting to be unloaded. However, there is no moving truck, and upon calling the moving company, you find out that in order to get your household goods back, you must pay the moving company an additional fee. Your “great deal” is no longer great, and what had started out to be reasonably priced relocation has become your worst nightmare. The folks you hired are what the relocation industry often refers to as “rogue movers,” and you have just become the latest victim of moving fraud.

Research has shown that more than 3,000 cases of possible mover fraud occur annually. As such, efforts are currently underway by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA) to crack down on these rogue movers and moving fraud. In fact, earlier this year, the FMCSA announced that with the help of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), a bill that offers provisions to support consumer protection regulations, it shut down the operations of two large rogue movers. Furthermore, in 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 movers in California and Florida on charges of committing fraud and extortion against consumers.

At King Relocation Services, we understand that corporate relocations can be complex and stressful. The last thing you, or your employer wants is to to have to deal with a rogue moving company. However, if you do happen to fall prey to moving fraud, we can help! As an agent ofUnited Van Lines, we participate in a program called MoveRescue. Backed by a national network of attorneys, we help consumers  recover their household goods from rogue movers, then we deliver them to your destination at no cost.

It is important to understand that moving fraud can be avoided when consumers know the signs to look for when identifying a rogue mover. Typical red flags include refusal to conduct an on-site inspection of your household goods, demand for payment up front, and inability to provide the federally required “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. Rogue movers will also be unable to produce documentation verifying their license and insurance, and they will often drive generic, unmarked moving vehicles.

When you call on King Relocation Services for your household goods relocation, you can rest assured in knowing that we will help you make your next move your best move. Our personal customer service coordinators are ready and waiting to help you plan your move from start-to-finish. We will make a site visit, provide you with verification of our licensing and insurance, ensure that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a mover, and provide clean, marked vehicles and friendly staff to execute your relocation.

Whether you are an employee that has received a “lump sum” for your upcoming relocation, or you are a business that has provided a “lump sum” relocation package to an employee or employees, and would like assistance in managing this program, we offer a comprehensive range of services that include program administration and policy consulting; expense tracking and reimbursement management; destination services that include short-term and permanent home-finding assistance; and, departure services that include home marketing assistance, property management and home sales programs.

We hope that you will consider King Relocation Services as your “go-to” resource for household goods relocation. To learn more about our services, visit www.kingcompanies.com.