Media Contact: PUC Press Office, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC Acts To Stop Illegal Moving Company
Ford Moving And Storage, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, August 29, 2003 -- The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), in its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, filed a Complaint For Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and Action For Recovery Of Civil Penalties, against Ronen Perez and Ford Moving and Storage, Inc. on Aug. 19, 2003.

A hearing was held on Aug. 21, 2003, in the Los Angeles Superior Court, in which the PUC was granted a temporary restraining order. A hearing for the preliminary injunction is set for Sept. 10, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.

Ronen Perez and Ford Moving and Storage, Inc., have been operating a moving business without a valid PUC license. Ronen Perez's household goods permit was revoked on Aug. 27, 2002, for failure to file evidence of workers' compensation insurance coverage with the Commission.

The PUC Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) received several consumer complaints alleging overcharges and loss and damage. All the complaints involved holding goods hostage. In all of these cases, the carrier charged two to three times more than the original written estimate or verbal quote that was given to the shippers. The carrier agreed to the original price, however, after the movers loaded all of the shippers' belongings onto their trucks, the carrier demanded more money. In addition to overcharges and loss and damage complaints, the PUC staff investigation also revealed other violations such as documentation failures, holding goods hostage, and failure to provide literature on moving tips - all of which are required by law.

For more information on the PUC, please visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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