U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
www.dot.gov/briefing-room.html

FMCSA 25-12
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Contact: Matthew Chambers
Tel.: (202) 366-9999

FMCSA Initiates Proceeding to Suspend Operating Authority of California Commercial Motor Carrier Peace of Mind Relocation, Inc. Following Determination that Company Held Hostage Household Goods

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has initiated a proceeding to suspend Peace of Mind Relocation, Inc.'s operating authority registration following an agency Final Order issued November 30, 2012 which determined that Peace of Mind Relocation, Inc. held hostage household goods of individual shippers in violation of federal statutes and regulations.

FMCSA's final agency order determined that Peace of Mind Relocation, Inc.'s refusal to give up possession of the shippers' household goods constituted a knowing and willful failure to give up possession of the household goods in violation of its estimate and contract after the shippers tendered payment.

"Consumers should not have to fear the loss of their property at the hands of non-compliant household goods movers," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Companies that violate federal regulations and take advantage of consumers will be held accountable and they will face serious legal and financial consequences."

FMCSA encourages consumers to file any complaints involving household goods or other commercial motor carriers through FMCSA's nationwide complaint hotline at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT) and to visit the National Consumer Complaints Database at http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.

"Ensuring that consumers can access safe, reputable household goods movers is a priority," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to protect consumers."

The agency also encourages consumers planning an interstate move to visit the federal government's "Protect Your Move" web site at http://www.protectyourmove.gov, which provides information on shippers' rights and responsibilities and information on how to research USDOT registered household goods carriers.

###