Hostage Long Distance Move? Get Your Stuff Back

Movers Demanding Payment and Won't Deliver Your Furniture?

Did you agree to more than double of your costs and signed your Bill Of Lading? You may be going through a hostage move.

Imagine your long distance move turning into a heartache as your movers refuse to deliver your household goods you pay more than what was agreed upon. Criminals commit this act, known as a hostage move, and no customer should experience it.

While facing a potential hostage move is overwhelming, knowing you have rights and options is important.

This article will guide you through the necessary steps to protect yourself and get your belongings back:

Can Movers Hold Your Stuff Hostage?

A long distance moving company can temporarily hold your items if you fail to pay the AGREED UPON COSTS. Movers have a legal right, called a carrier's lien, to hold your belongings until you pay the agreed-upon fees. However, your movers cannot legally hold your stuff hostage to demand additional payments not specified in the contract.

Make sure to agree to any additional fees with your movers before paying more than the agreed-upon price. Check your moving contract or Bill of Lading for details.

What's A Hostage Move?

A hostage move occurs when long distance movers increase your costs significantly compared to the original written estimate. If you refuse to pay, the moving company may threaten to keep your stuff.

If your movers refuse to deliver your belongings after demanding additional payment, they are holding your items hostage. Contact the FMCSA and file a police report immediately if movers have held your items hostage.

Hostage moves are illegal; any long distance mover found guilty of this could face jail time, fines, and civil penalties.

Binding Estimates Prevent Hostage Moves

Requesting a binding not-to-exceed quote will protect you from the dispute of movers keeping your stuff. A binding estimate provides your long distance moving quote at a flat rate. So, your movers cannot charge you a penny more than the agreed-upon price.

Important Note: Even with binding estimates, some long distance movers might try to find loopholes to charge extra fees. Try hiring a reputable long distance moving company to avoid scam like behavior and hidden fees.

FMCSA 110% Rule

The FMCSA has a '110% Rule' to protect you from hostage moves and moving fraud. This rule states that your long-distance moving company cannot charge you more than 110% of your original non-binding estimate on your move date. If they do, it could be a sign of a potential hostage move, and you should take action immediately.

What it Means for You:

1. Your long-distance moving company can not charge you more than 110% of your original non-binding estimate on your move date.

2. The FMCSA's 110% rule prevents unexpected price hikes that will turn anyone's long distance move into a nightmare.

3. If a moving company charges more than double the original quote and won't deliver your items, your furniture is held hostage.

Who is the FMCSA?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plays a crucial role in regulating moving companies to ensure they adhere to safety rules and regulations. Knowing that FMCSA is there to protect you should provide a sense of support and reassurance during the hostage move process.

If you have a hostage dispute with your mover, the FMCSA will take action and may help you get a refund for the paid services.

What to Do if Your Movers Are Holding Your furniture Hostage

Bait-and-switch movers, and hostage moving companies, typically drive U-HAUL rentals.

If your movers are holding your items hostage, it's important to stay calm and hold your ground. Here is what to do if movers hold you hostage:

Refuse to pay the extra charges: Politely but firmly refuse to pay any fees that weren't in your original contract or exceed the 110% limit.

1. Get it in Writing: Email your movers restating the originally agreed-upon price and request a written response. This documentation can be crucial in resolving the dispute.
   

2. 2. Contact the FMCSA: Who to call when the movers are holding your stuff hostage? Report the long distance mover's violation by filing a complaint with the FMCSA. You can do this online or by calling their hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).

3. Involve the Police: If the hostage move situation escalates and the mover refuses to deliver your belongings, contact the police. They can help enforce the law and ensure you receive your property.

4. Be Patient: The FMCSA and law enforcement will need time to investigate your complaint. Be prepared for this process to take a few weeks or even months. However, when the FMCSA gets a complaint about a hostage move, the movers will likely return your furniture quickly to prevent problems.

Preventing A Hostage Move

If you are not experiencing a hostage move but are concerned about this happening to you, this section is for you:

1. Estimates: Avoid long distance moving estimates that are suspiciously cheap or sound too good to be true. Remember, hostage move scenarios always stem from a lower quote.

2. Reviews: Read online testimonials. Hostage move, moving companies will have several reviews of customers complaining about their hidden fees and deceptive business practices. But be careful. In some cases, a scam likely moving company might not have any reviews.

3. Itemized List: When hiring long distance movers for interstate moves, ensure that a detailed list of items is provided to be shipped to receive accurate quotes.

4. Cheap Movers: Sometimes, avoiding the cheapest option for long-distance moves is best. Especially if the moving company has bad reviews or is hard to find online.

5. Reputable Movers: Choose long distance movers that are reputable and proven reliable to avoid hostage moves altogether. Highly rated long distance moving companies value their reputation, and a hostage move will hurt their online reviews.

American National Movers: We Believe in Fair Pricing

At American National Movers, our long distance moving costs are transparent, and we prioritize fair business practices. We will give you a clear and detailed estimate before your move and make sure your costs are accurate.

If you're looking for a reliable long-distance mover, contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. We'll help you make your move a smooth and stress-free experience.

Need Help with a Moving Dispute?

If you're experiencing hostage move issues with your moving company, contact American National Movers, and we'll assist you. We're happy to offer guidance and support, even if you're not using our services.

Are You A Victim Of Moving Fraud?

Here are a some resources that can help victims of moving company scams:

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: 1-888-283-8255

• The Better Business Bureau: 1-800-635-5252

• The National Consumer Law Center: 1-800-797-5292

How Long Do Movers Have To Deliver Legally

By law, long distance movers have 21 calendar days to deliver your furniture. Movers are required to provide their customers with a reasonable dispatch service. Otherwise, you are entitled to compensation.