Updated: June 12, 2025
5 min read
Explore how the Household Goods Shipper Moving Protection Act, paired with technology like MOVE-SAFE, can help fight interstate moving fraud and protect consumers. Learn how USMPO empowers states and families alike.
Each year, thousands of Americans fall victim to interstate moving fraud, often losing thousands of dollars in the process. Families find themselves trapped in nightmares involving hostage loads, skyrocketing fees, damaged items, or lost belongings—with little to no recourse. Initiatives like the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act are in place to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration relating to the shipping of household goods, and for other purposes.
While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides licensing oversight for household goods carriers, it offers limited assistance once a move has gone wrong. As FMCSA states in their own guidance, consumers are largely left to resolve disputes on their own. This leaves both consumers and state agencies overwhelmed with complaints, and few actionable remedies.
The Role of the U.S. Moving Protection Organization (USMPO)
The U.S. Moving Protection Organization (USMPO) is a consumer advocacy group focused on preventing moving fraud and empowering consumers through information, verification, technology, and complaint support.
Our mission is threefold:
- Prevention — Help consumers choose reputable, licensed interstate carriers using verified data and advanced screening tools.
- Remedy — Assist consumers and state agencies in documenting and reporting legally actionable claims.
- Innovation — Create cutting-edge safety technologies to proactively detect and deter fraud, improve CMV safety, and raise industry standards.
How Technology Is Changing the Game: Introducing MOVE-SAFE
To combat the root causes of interstate moving fraud and enhance CMV safety, USMPO developed MOVE-SAFE, a proprietary, data-driven technology platform designed to help consumers make safer, more informed choices when selecting a moving company.
MOVE-SAFE works by combining real-time consumer complaint data with Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) safety records from FMCSA and other regulatory sources. This system uses a proprietary algorithm to:
- Score and rank movers based on safety, compliance, and consumer satisfaction
- Create a dynamic feedback loop, where consumer experiences directly influence carrier rankings
- Support regulatory enforcement by detecting repeat offenders and identifying unsafe or noncompliant carriers
For consumers, MOVE-SAFE acts as a safety rating system—giving them an evidence-based way to compare carriers before booking a move.
For movers, the platform serves as a compliance incentive and exposure engine. Carriers that adhere to FMCSA regulations, protect customers, and maintain high safety standards are rewarded with better rankings and increased visibility across USMPO’s referral network.
This closed-loop ecosystem promotes:
- Voluntary compliance
- Data-informed enforcement
- Greater transparency
- Ongoing CMV safety improvements
By building technology that continuously monitors safety performance, USMPO is not only preventing fraud but actively helping raise the bar for industry accountability and consumer protection.
A Flawed System: What Happens When a Move Goes Wrong?
The most common consumer complaints after an interstate move include:
- Overcharges or bait-and-switch pricing
- Delayed pickup or delivery
- Damaged or missing inventory
- Hostage loads (when goods are held for payment beyond the agreed rate)
Unfortunately, the existing federal infrastructure offers limited support after the fact. FMCSA arbitration only applies to inventory-related disputes and often lacks neutrality or enforcement. Most pricing disputes and fraud claims fall into regulatory gray areas.
Consumers are directed to handle disputes with their movers directly—even in cases of clear misconduct. This lack of support has created an urgent need for state-level consumer protection enforcement.
The Household Goods Shipper Moving Protection Act: A Legislative Fix
In response to the growing epidemic of interstate moving scams, lawmakers introduced the Household Goods Shipper Moving Protection Act in both chambers of Congress. This legislation aims to:
- Expand state authority to enforce federal consumer protections related to household goods carriers
- Provide funding and infrastructure for state participation in FMCSA’s enforcement program
- Streamline consumer complaint handling and improve coordination between states and federal agencies
- Hold fraudulent movers and brokers accountable through meaningful penalties and investigations
The passage of the Household Goods Shipper Moving Protection Act would mark a turning point in how America handles moving fraud. It acknowledges that interstate moving fraud is not just a federal issue—it’s a consumer protection crisis that requires state-level action.
USMPO supports this legislation and is actively working with stakeholders to raise awareness and encourage more states to enforce their existing rights under §§ 14710 and 14711.
How State Agencies Can Take the Lead
FMCSA has acknowledged that the true enforcement power rests with state authorities, especially transportation regulators and state attorneys general. Two key federal statutes authorize this:
- 49 U.S.C. § 14710 — Empowers state transportation divisions to enforce household goods shipping laws.
- 49 U.S.C. § 14711 — Grants state Attorneys General authority to pursue federal household goods law violations, acting with the same enforcement power as U.S. Attorneys.
In 2006, FMCSA established the Household Goods State Enforcement Partnership Program, inviting states to formally participate in moving fraud enforcement. Yet as of 2023, only eleven states have joined. Without broader participation, millions of consumers are left unprotected.
USMPO encourages states to join this partnership—and offers direct support to help streamline the intake, investigation, and follow-up process for moving complaints.
What Can Consumers Do Right Now?
If you’ve experienced fraud or misconduct during your interstate move, here are your options:
1. Inventory Damage or Loss
- Contact the carrier’s cargo insurance company (listed on FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site).
- If needed, proceed to arbitration—just ensure it’s neutral and recognized.
2. Overcharge or Hostage Loads
- FMCSA arbitration does not apply here.
- File a tariff violation complaint with the Surface Transportation Board under 49 U.S.C. § 13702.
- Consider a private action under 49 U.S.C. § 14704(c). Consumers may recover attorney fees under § 14704(e), which helps make legal action more feasible.
3. Need Help?
- Visit USMPO’s complaint assistance portal (coming soon) or contact us directly.
- We help consumers organize their claims, submit them to the appropriate state agencies, and—most importantly—detect patterns of fraud that support broader investigations.
Building Better Coordination Between States and Advocacy Groups
USMPO is currently partnering with several state offices to develop custom consumer complaint landing pages that streamline reporting and create a clear path to enforcement.
These portals can be linked directly from government websites and help:
- Collect structured, actionable complaint data
- Improve communication with consumers
- Organize reports by carrier, broker, and type of violation
- Facilitate escalations to the AG’s office or STB when appropriate
By aligning our efforts with government agencies, we aim to reduce the burden on public offices while increasing the speed and impact of enforcement.
Conclusion: Real Protection Starts with State Action and Smart Technology
The rise of interstate moving fraud is not a temporary glitch—it’s a systemic failure of outdated regulations, underfunded oversight, and limited recourse for consumers.
The Household Goods Shipper Moving Protection Act offers a promising roadmap to repair that system. But even without new legislation, states already have the power to act—and they have the tools.
By enforcing their rights under federal law, adopting modern consumer complaint systems, and leveraging technologies like MOVE-SAFE™, state agencies can finally turn the tide against moving fraud and build a safer, more transparent household goods industry.
If you’re a state official, regulator, or consumer advocate ready to take action—USMPO is here to help.