By Tim Walker
MovingScam.com

Many people find out too late how easy it is to fall victim to a scam moving company. Knowing who to file a complaint with, and how to do it can sometimes be confusing and difficult unless you know where to turn. This article will take you step by step through the process, letting you know who to file complaints with, and how the process works.

Be sure to file a complaint with MovingScam.com using our online complaint form. Our database of complaints is our first indicator of companies that may need to be added to the black list. If your move was an interstate move then you may also have us automatically send your complaint to the Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General. This saves time by eliminating a step and also makes sure that the OIG has complete information about your move.

The first government contact you need to file a complaint with is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They have recently streamlined their process, and even if you have filed previously with them using their old system prior to (1/1/2003), you should file with them again. It's easy to file a complaint online using their web site at http://www.1-888-dot-saft.com/CC_Info.htm, or toll-free by phone at 1-888-368-7238.

You should also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General. Although they don't have a system in place that is as easy to use as the FMCSA's, you can email them at hotline@oig.dot.gov. As previously stated, this can be handled automatically for you when you file a complaint with MovingScam.com.

Next, you should find out if your mover is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). You can find out by calling the AMSA at 703-683-7410, or by sending them an email to amconf@amconf.org. If your moving company is an AMSA member, then they have agreed to participate in the AMSA Arbitration Program. You should file for arbitration with the AMSA by following their guidelines on www.moving.org.

You should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau even if the company is not a member. You can file a complaint with the BBB online using their web site at http://www.bbb.com.

It's also important to let your representatives in the US Senate, and the House of Representatives know about the abuse consumers are facing in the moving industry. While there is no formal process for filing complaints specifically about the moving industry, it is important to contact them and let them know how serious these issues are.