The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Aug. 30 levied $281,000 in fines against Moving Van Lines Inc. of Tampa, Fla., for violating multiple federal regulations including holding consumers’ property hostage and requiring moving fees beyond the original binding contractual agreement. 

“Consumers should not have to fear the loss of their property at the hands of fraudulent household goods movers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Companies that violate federal regulations and take advantage of consumers will be held accountable and they will face serious legal and financial consequences.”

FMCSA acted against Moving Van Lines following an investigation of consumer complaints against the moving company. FMCSA found the company in violation of 28 counts of failing to relinquish possession of a household goods shipment (hostage load), and one count of collecting fees more than the original binding estimate.

FMCSA maintains a complaint hotline at (888) 368-7238 and a National Consumer Complaints Database at http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.