Long Branch and Tinton Falls Moving Companies Face Penalties For Operating Without Licenses

Long Branch and Tinton Falls moving companies have been charged with operating their businesses without a license by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

Woodbridge Moving, of Tinton Falls and Eric Meekins, advertising as “Eric,” of Long Branch are among 25 charged as a result of an undercover sting operation peformed by the two agencies.

Each company faces a civil penalty of up to $2,500, but those who apply for licensure within 30 days can have their penalty reduced to $1,250, according to a release from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

The sting operation took place from July 23 through July 26 and began when Consumer Affairs investigators posed as customers looking to move within the state. The investigators booked appointments with known unlicensed movers whohad listings on Craigslist, Angie’s List, and other online venues, according to the release.

"A total of 25 allegedly unlicensed moving companies made appointments with the investigators," the release states. "Of those, 22 sent moving crews to a site in Highland Park, and unwittingly into the second phase of Operation Mother’s Attic II.”

Once they arrived at the site, the unlicensed movers were confronted by the investigators, and their vehicles were inspected by special transportation compliance units of the New Jersey State Police, who checked driver and vehicle records, and performed standard safety reviews. 

“Predatory movers have been known to hold customers’ property hostage as a form of extortion, then demand thousands of dollars more than the price their customers originally agreed to pay,” Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said. “We are enforcing New Jersey’s licensing laws in order to protect consumers from this type of abuse, and protect the interests of the many movers who operate honestly and in compliance with the law.”

State law requires all movers who operate within New Jersey to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs.  They must maintain cargo liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and bodily injury and property damage insurance, as well.

They must also maintain a bona fide business address in New Jersey and register and insure each moving vehicle they use in the state.

Finally, movers must also provide consumers with a written estimate of the cost of the move.

Acting Director Kanefsky noted that the Division of Consumer Affairs received 119 complaints from consumers about moving companies in 2011 alone.

A total of 11 people were arrested, including nine who were wanted on open warrants for unpaid traffic fines or child support. Two were wanted by  Immigration and Customs Enforcement and were turned over to ICE custody after being detained by State Police.

The full list of moving companies charged with operating without a license are:

·    Affordable Movers, of Oakhurst

·    All Country Moving & Storage, of Union City

·    Budget Minded Dependable Movers, of Somerset

·    Delbridge Moving & Cleanouts, of Bayonne

·    Eric Meekins, advertising as “Eric,” of Long Branch

·    Father & Son Moving & Storage, of Pemberton

·    General Movers, aka Hoboken Movers, aka Official Moving and Storage, of New York City

·    George’s Moving, of Boonton

·    Heavy & Light Moves, of Linden

·    JHR Group, of Newton

·    Lakeland Moving & Storage, of Ringwood

·    Marcus Hall Moving & Relocation, of Jersey City

·    Mary’s Moving, of Marlton

·    Me & My Small Truck, of East Brunswick

·    Move for Less, of Palisades Park

·    Move For One Flat Rate, of Piscataway

·    Movers Working Independent, aka MI JANTO 007, of Garfield

·    NJ Pro Movers, aka NY Pro Movers aka Stress Less Movers, of New York City

·    Ron’s Moving, of Willingboro

·    Shawn the Super Mover, of Manville

·    South Jersey Moving, of Blackwood

·    Tuck’s Moving Service, of Hackettstown

·    Umex Moving & Storage, of Plainfield

·    United Direct Movers, of Bloomfield

·    Woodbridge Moving, of Tinton Falls

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.