December 31, 2013

Local Moving Company Fined for Violating County’s Consumer Protection Law

A Montgomery County District Court judge has fined Adam Shaikh, doing business as Big Brothers Moving in Gaithersburg, $3,000 covering six civil citations issued by the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) for violations of the County’s consumer protection law.

The violations included holding goods hostage, failure to state if a moving estimate is binding or non-binding, misrepresenting services included in estimates and charging extra for these services, and misrepresenting on the company’s website that Big Brothers Moving was licensed and insured.

OCP advises consumers in Montgomery County to do the following when hiring movers:
  • Review OCP’s complaint records on a moving company before getting an estimate. 
  • Get written estimates based upon onsite inspections. Moving companies are required to provide all consumers with written estimates stating if the estimate is binding or non-binding. 
  • Ask about the mover’s liability for damage or loss. Consider buying additional insurance to cover all loss or damage. 
  • Visit OCP’s A-Z Consumer Advice on Moving and Storage Companies for recommendations on preparing for a move. 
For additional information or to file a complaint, contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636 or email consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.