The American Moving and Storage Association Unveils Program to Protect Consumers From 'Rogue Movers'

AMSA Kicks off 2008 Moving Season with Innovative ProMover Program

ORLANDO, Fla., April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) today launched the 2008 moving season with the unveiling of ProMover -- an innovative new program designed to protect consumers and help ensure they are hiring a legitimate, professional mover when they need to move their belongings.

The ProMover program seeks to put an end to the small but devastating problem of so-called "rogue movers" -- criminals who pose as legitimate movers to rip off consumers -- with a comprehensive program of pre-screening, annual reviews and a strict revocation process for movers who don't maintain the program's high standards. The ProMover designation will represent a new standard for professionalism and excellence and a "must have" credential to be identified as a trusted, professional mover.

"The fact is, 'rogue movers' is a terrible misnomer," said AMSA President and CEO Linda Darr. "These are thieves -- plain and simple -- who tarnish the image of the professional moving industry and raise consumers' anxiety levels at a very stressful time in their lives. It is our hope that through the ProMover program we may someday put an end to this preventable problem."

When the program is fully implemented, consumers will see the ProMover logo on the web sites, advertising and marketing materials of moving companies from coast to coast. They will be able to visit AMSA's web site www.moving.org to view a list of current ProMover professionals. In addition, they will be able to report complaints through a new toll free number and a dedicated e-mail address.

"The ProMover logo means that you are dealing with a professional mover," Darr said. "It's an easy message for consumers to understand and a distinctive service mark for people to seek out when they're planning their move."

ProMover certification will be a requirement for AMSA membership. All AMSA members will be ProMover and all ProMovers will be AMSA members.

To become a ProMover, new applicants -- including all current AMSA members -- will be screened for any applicable state and federal felony convictions and to verify compliance with state incorporation laws, and they must sign an agreement pledging compliance with applicable state and federal laws and AMSA's Code of Ethics. AMSA will also review every ProMover moving company on an annual basis to ensure that they are maintaining the programs' high industry standards. Movers who fail to live up to the new rigid requirements will be expelled from membership and be stripped of their ProMover designation.

AMSA, working with its members, industry partners, federal and state regulators and other stakeholders, is currently reviewing and finalizing all aspects of this major new initiative with initial screenings beginning this fall and full program implementation by Jan. 1, 2009.

"It's hard to quantify the extent of the so-called 'rogue mover' problem because local law enforcement often treat these situations as contract disputes," Darr said. "But we do know that the overwhelming majority of all moves in this country are conducted by legitimate moving companies. And now, with the implementation of the ProMover program, American consumers can be confident that the moving company they hire will be honest, accountable and professional."

The American Moving and Storage Association, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is the trade association representing the nation's moving and storage companies, which provide household goods moving services, specialized transportation for sensitive freight such as computers and trade show exhibits, and warehouse storage services. The association has 3,700 members, including more than 300 international members, and offers programs and activities that promote consumer protection, professional development, safety, and operational efficiency.

www.promover.org