CLEVELAND — An Ohio man says his mother-in-law’s remains, as well as his wife’s wedding dress, are among the possessions being held “hostage” by a moving company that has dozens of complaints nationwide.
Cecil Hairston’s woes started when he moved his family from Ohio to Colorado. Hairston believed he was working with one of the nation’s most recognized moving companies but later learned he had been duped.
So-called “rogue movers” attract consumers with websites that often imitate legitimate moving companies by relying on subtle variations of well-known and reputable moving company names that have operated for decades.
The company initially quoted a price of $3,200, which climbed to more than $7,000 by the time all his possessions were loaded onto a truck. He refused to pay the extra amount, and the moving company kept his possessions.
“Modern-day piracy is what I’d call it, “said Hairston, who wound up losing everything he owned.
His complaint, which was filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, went nowhere.
An exclusive 5 On Your Side Investigation has found Ohio regulators have limited enforcement authority when pursuing moving company scams that include holding household goods hostage while charging thousands of dollars above what’s contained in contracts.
Consumers are caught by surprise when household goods are loaded onto trucks and suddenly told everything they own will be held in storage until they turn over thousands of dollars—in cash—above and beyond what was agreed to initially.
The PUCO’s pursuit of Hairston’s complaint ended with a phone call.
The agency’s records reveal it was “put on hold” by the moving company and “no one ever came back.” Neither did the PUCO—instead advising Hairston to “call the police and seek legal help.”
Our investigation found that while the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio promises that “your rights are enforced by the PUCO”—it has no authority to pursue rogue moving companies with criminal charges.
Instead, it levies monetary fines against moving companies called “civil forfeitures” for regulatory violations such as failing to register, failing to report on the status of a complaint and safety violations ranging from broken taillights to bad brakes.
Included among regulations for moving companies in Ohio are:
- Written copy of consumer rights and responsibilities
- Written estimate of fees
- Receipt of bill of lading
- Certification and registration that includes insurance coverage and annual fees up to $300
A review of PUCO compliance records and letters sent to moving companies by the PUCO between January 2019 and July 2020 reveals :
- $1,000 fines were levied against two moving companies for failing to report on the status of damaged goods complaints filed by consumers
- $500 fines levied against two moving companies and a $1,000 fine for another for…