Word Document PDF Document

California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

_________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

CPUC INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FINES IMPOSED ON VARIOUS MOVING COMPANIES

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2012 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in its ongoing commitment to consumer protection, has recently taken a number of actions to protect consumers from illegally operating moving companies.

During the second quarter of 2012, CPUC staff took the following enforcement actions against moving companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code and CPUC rules and regulations, including Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4), which contains maximum rates that carriers must observe as well as rules and regulations governing intrastate moves.

Overcharges and Refunds

CPUC staff assisted and/or directed moving companies to refund consumers over $15,000 for overcharges and other violations of the Maximum Rate Tariff 4.

Phone Disconnections

As part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to two moving companies operating in California without a household goods permit. This company continued to advertise and hold itself out to engage in the business of transporting used household goods, notwithstanding CPUC staff directives to immediately cease and desist unlawful acts and to obtain a household goods permit.

Official Notice

The following nine companies were issued an Official Notice for advertising and operating without a permit:

Cease and Desist Notice

Twenty-one companies were issued a cease and desist notice for operating and advertising without a valid permit (unlicensed, revoked or denied).

Companies issued a C&D notice:

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

###

Top Of Page