Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland

News Release
For Immediate Release
BBB Applauds Indictments against 12 for Moving Company Scams

Baltimore, Md., July 31, 2018 - Today, 12 individuals were charged by a federal grand jury for attempting to defraud more than 900 victims in Maryland and across the country. Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland handled nearly 100 consumer cases against the alleged racketeers and cooperated with federal law enforcement by providing detailed information on six companies and its own investigational history on several more.

“This is a great day for consumers and honest interstate movers, who have been deeply hurt by a handful of deceitful operators,” said Angie Barnett, president & CEO, Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland. “Time and time again, consumers shared horror stories that corroborate the indictments of wire fraud, theft, extortion, and identification fraud. Some had been sleeping on air mattresses for weeks or more, stranded in a new state without their belongings at the mercy of experienced schemers.”

According to the U.S. Attorneys, Southern District of Ohio’s announcement, five of the 12 individuals, including four from Florida and one from North Carolina, were arrested today. Investigators believe the alleged criminal activity transpired between April 2013 and July 2018.    

In 2016, BBB of Greater Maryland reached out to U.S. Department of Transportation officials to report a spike in complaints against US Relocation Systems, LLC . The company claimed a Baltimore address and customers from across the U.S. waged allegations ranging from lost and damaged goods, to demands of additional monies, even cash, if they wanted to recoup withheld furniture and belongings. At the time, BBB was able to link Andrey Shuklin, a resident of Florida, to 14 additional moving companies and/or websites.

In June of this year, after receiving a spike in complaints, BBB issued a consumer warning about Unified Van Lines . Not only did the complaints reported to BBB by customers sound familiar, but the company shared an I.P. address with US Relocations, and connections to Shuklin, who was arrested today. Complaints for Unified Van Lines have continued to come in to BBB, and now stand at 60 with 17 more pending.

If you believe you’re a victim of this moving scheme, please call the U.S. Department of Transportation’s hotline at 1-800-424-9071 or email   [email protected] . If you’re planning a move, look for a trusted BBB Accredited moving company . You can find BBB tips for  hiring a mover  and  avoiding moving scams . In Maryland,  the Maryland Household Goods Movers Act offers special protections . For more help, you can  contact your local BBB . 
--- About BBB ---
BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews , dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB of Greater Maryland, which was founded in 1917, together with BBB Maryland Foundation, serves Baltimore and 18 surrounding counties. Visit bbb.org for more information.
Angie Barnett, President & CEO
410-347-3981 (office) 443-223-1303 (cell)

Jody Thomas, VP Communications & Marketing
410-347-8593 (office) 443-254-0464 (cell)