Florida trucking company fined $21 million for defrauding customers

A Florida shipping company is accused of defrauding customers. The court ruled on the payment of compensation to the citizens in the amount of 21 million.

On May 20, a court of Broward County, Florida issued an injunction against All USA Van Lines (d/b/a Top Movers Inc.) and its director, Ohada Guzi.

Under the Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the total amount awarded was $21,789,306, including $16.5 million in civil penalties.

The decision was made based on citizen lawsuits that the Florida Attorney General’s Office filed in December 2018 against seven individuals and 19 household goods shipping companies.

The complaints allege that the companies used false and misleading advertising practices and offered underpriced prices to entice customers to buy their services.

They then took people’s things as collateral, raised prices, and forced buyers to pay inflated prices before delivering the goods.

The companies also claimed that the services would be performed by highly qualified and experienced movers, however, the transportation was carried out by untrained persons who often damaged and stole customers’ property.