Insurance is key, too; you can check for licensed movers online

By Amy Easley, KTVZ.COM

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Bend Police Department are cracking down on illegal movers through "stings" such as one conducted Thursday.

They target people who move household goods without the proper license, or insurance. And if you hire one of these people, it could prove to be a big problem for you.

Sally Ridenour with ODOT explained, "If that person is injured on your property, you could have to pay for their medical care because they wouldn't be covered by workers compensation or insurance. Then the biggest risk is they could drive off with your stuff, and you'd never see it again."

Illegal movers often advertise on Web sites like craigslist or bulletin boards offering to help people with a move for a fee. Many consumers don't realize that these "companies" don't have legal operating authority or insurance and in some cases, safe vehicles and drivers.

Jason Pigot with American Moving and Storage was one of the people targeted in Thursday morning's sting.

At first, Pigot told an ODOT worker posing as a homeowner that he could only help load and unload a moving truck.

But when the ODOT representative told Pigot if a truck couldn't be supplied he'd go somewhere else, Pigot gave in.

That was his mistake. Pigot has a license to do all the muscle work, but not to transport goods.

After being busted by cops at a decoy house, Pigot said he managed to avoid a similar sting a few years back, and should have been more careful, but wasn't suspicious when the ODOT worker called him.

"When elderly customers tell me they don't want to pick up the vehicle or they don't wish to pay for the vehicle, then they feel they may be getting screwed," he said.

But people who choose an unlicensed mover, whether intentionally or by mistake, may have little or no recourse for losses or damage to their property, could be charged higher than normal fees, and could be at higher risk for property or identity theft, officials warn.

In Thursday's sting, there were 18 vehicle-related violations issued and one was placed out of service for safety violations.

Eight citations were issued for other violations, including fie for no valid ODOT permit, one citation for driving with a suspended license, one for no valid driver license and one for failure to provide proof of insurance. In addition, three people had a record of career criminal history.

Moving is a regulated industry in Oregon. Any company or person that offers household goods moving services must be certified by ODOT.

The best way consumers can protect themselves during the moving process is to hire a certified moving company. Information, including consumer tips and a list of certified companies is available on the ODOT Motor Carrier Web site at:

http://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/MOVING.shtml