The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) ordered Action Moving Co., Inc. to stop operating as a residential moving company in the state without a valid permit. The UTC penalized the company $10,000 for continuing to publicize the illegal business despite a new law effective this year that forbids such advertising.
The UTC went to court earlier this year to obtain a permanent injunction against Action Moving Co. and its owner, Thomas Shanks, who had been operating residential moving businesses without a permit for a number of years.
Mr. Shanks subsequently applied for an operating permit with the UTC on March 16, but asked to withdraw the incomplete application on July 10. At the time of Mr. Shanks’ request to withdraw his pending permit application and up until the time of the UTC hearing on Nov. 20, he continued to advertise his illegal moving services.
The UTC is the state agency in charge of enforcing consumer protection and safety regulations for more than 200 residential moving companies operating within the state. Movers are required to get a permit from the UTC, charge proper rates, carry proper insurance and keep their vehicles safely maintained. The commission does not regulate interstate moving companies.
more