Arrests Related to California Moving Company Scams Not Connected to Stevens Worldwide Van Lines

January 31, 2011

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is not linked in any way to recent arrests in California’s Santa Clara County. Stevens Worldwide Van Lines’ owned and affiliated companies and agents also are not connected to the legal matters.

According to published reports, five people were arrested in mid-January on theft-related charges involving scams of internet-based moving companies operating in the South Bay area of Santa Clara County.

One of those arrested is known to be affiliated with an internet-based moving company called Stevens Moving and Storage. The company also has been listed by several other names.

That company has no connection to Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is a Michigan-based moving company that has company-owned locations in Michigan, Ohio and Florida, and agent locations across the country. The Stevens Worldwide Van Lines US DOT number is 72029.  In Michigan and Ohio, some Stevens Worldwide Van Lines locations are known as Stevens Moving & Storage, but they have no connection with the California company or the individual who was arrested.

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines reminds families and individuals who are planning to move to be wary of internet-based moving companies and companies that offer pricing and deals that seem extremely low compared to the competition.

Moving industry experts estimate that every year thousands of Americans who move become victims of unscrupulous movers who don’t live up to the promised they make to customers. The methods of some disreputable movers range from dramatically changed pricing during the course of a move to furniture and personal belongings being “held hostage” until the customer pays a “delivery fee” in cash.

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines offers these other suggestions to avoid moving scams.

• Get in-home written estimates. While there are several online “moving cost estimators,” almost always the only legitimate estimates are those offered by a professional mover who visits the customer’s home.
• Use a company that is certified by the American Moving & Storage Association as a PROMOVER or is an agent of a certified PROMOVER. Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is a PROMOVER.
• Beware of movers who require a large deposit or require payment upfront for a move or demand cash payments. These are not typical practices of legitimate moving companies.
• Beware of companies with names similar to those of large van lines or well-established moving businesses. A similar name does not mean that the online company is affiliated with a reputable company.