Listen to this articleThe basics:
- NJ Attorney General cited 18 contractors and 11 movers for operating without required registrations or licenses
- Two undercover stings identified unlicensed activity
- Investigators found 45 motor vehicle violations among movers’ trucks during inspections
- Officials say unlicensed businesses pose risks including poor service, property damage and lack of recourse
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office cited dozens of home improvement contractors and moving companies for allegedly doing business without the registration or licenses required by the state Division of Consumer Affairs.
In a Dec. 1 news release announcing the violations, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said his office issued $45,000 in civil penalties total against 18 contractors and $55,000 in fines against 11 movers.
According to Platkin, the enforcement actions stem from two undercover stings in October.
Contractor citations
As part of the three-day “Operation Safe House,” DCA investigators posed as individuals seeking to flip an unoccupied single-family house in Manchester Township and reached out to numerous home improvement contractor businesses that were advertising services despite having an expired registration or never having obtained a registration, the AG’s office said.
Contractors were then asked to come to the house and provide estimates for a variety of projects, including roofing, siding, fencing, flooring and kitchen renovations, the state said.
According to the state, the following HICBs submitted bids for the job and were cited for soliciting work without an active registration:
- Charles Siebert (doing business as All-Star Garage Door) – Forked River
- Black River Contracting LLC – Ocean Gate
- BW Carpeting LLC – Brick
- Car-Mo-Na Fencing LLC – Forked River
- Anthony Nagy (doing business as Eco Star Exterior) – Lanoka Harbor
- Effata Management LLC – Toms River
- Franks Masonry & More LLC – Beachwood
- Frogmen Construction LLC – Tuckerton
- JB Construction & Consulting LLC – Toms River
- Jersey Best Paving & Masonry LLC – Plainfield
- Magic Touch Handyman Services LLC – Toms River
- Michael A. Smith (doing business as Mike’s Roofing and Siding) – Barnegat
- Pats Masonry LLC – Brick
- Revival Restoration LLC – Manahawkin
- Revolution Flooring LLC – Jackson
- Dominick Fattaruso Sr. (doing business as Siding Masters) – Brick
- Ten Fence LLC – Toms River
- Justin McCarthy (doing business as Westbury Siding & Builders) – Jackson
Moving company citations
Meanwhile, “Operation Safe Move” targeted unlicensed movers advertising their services online, authorities said.
Over the course of two days in October, DCA investigators acted as consumers seeking to move their belongings to another locations in New Jersey.
Movers “hired” by the agents appeared at the Hamilton property expecting to find it full of items for transport and were instead met by a team seeking verification of licensure, the state said.
Concerned?
Anyone who thinks they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint online or call 800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.
Additionally, members of the New Jersey State Police Mobile Safe Freight Unit conducted motor vehicle safety inspections on movers’ trucks and found 45 violations, the AG’s office said.
According to the state, these 11 moving companies were each issued penalties of $5,000:
- All American Services – West Deptford
- Ben The Mover Guy LLC – Philadelphia
- Dagline Moving LLC – Bayonne
- Apex Billiard Services LLC (doing business as Fast & Efficient Movers) – Hamilton
- Hawes Moving – Cinnaminson
- It Is Finished Movers – Atco
- Just Better Moving LLC – Parsippany
- Mason Moves Junk – West Deptford
- Seka Moving & Storage LLC – Manhattan
- Royalty Moving Systems LLC – Carteret
- Up Down Moving & Logistics LLC – Red Bank
Consumers at risk
In a statement, Platkin said, “Businesses should never take advantage of hardworking New Jerseyans. Unfortunately, businesses operating without a proper license or registration pose a risk to consumers through potential poor service quality, property damage, and a lack of legal recourse should something go wrong.”
“By proactively identifying and taking enforcement action against these businesses, we’re reducing the risks to consumers and sending the message that this unlawful conduct will not be tolerated,” he said.
DCA acting Director Elizabeth Harris added, “Companies doing business in New Jersey must follow the law and adhere to all regulations that protect consumers from deceptive or unfair practices. As these undercover enforcement actions demonstrate, businesses caught trying to circumvent these laws will be held accountable.”
Earlier this year, the state launched a consumer education campaign aimed at protecting residents from deception and defrauding by contractors hired to repair, remodel or renovate houses.
The DCA also recently created a new program to boost public awareness about the importance of hiring licensed movers. Through that initiative, licensed moving companies can receive free bumper stickers that read “Don’t Trust Your Possessions to Unlicensed Movers…Check My License at: MyMoversNJ.gov.”
