Gloria Pugh, CEO of AMWAT Moving Warehousing Storage and Chair of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, traveled to Washington D.C. to facilitate a critical discussion on consumer protection and moving industry fraud at the American Trucking Associations’ Moving and Storage Conference.
The meeting, held at ATA MSC headquarters, brought together senior executives from reputable moving companies across the country alongside Monique B. Riddick, Chief of the Commercial Enforcement Division at the Office of Safety, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Together, industry leaders and federal regulators worked to identify actionable solutions to fraudulent moving practices that harm American consumers every year.
The Problem Gloria Is Fighting
Moving fraud is a widespread and underreported problem in the United States. Dishonest brokers collect deposits from consumers, sell those jobs to unvetted carriers, and disappear. Rogue movers hold shipments hostage demanding inflated payments upon delivery. Consumers are left with damaged belongings, stolen deposits, and no legal recourse.
These fraudulent operators thrive because legitimate moving companies and federal regulators have historically operated in silos. Gloria’s facilitation at the ATA-MSC conference was designed to change that.
What the Conference Addressed
The Washington D.C. meeting focused on:
Strengthening federal consumer protection regulations under U.S. Code for interstate moving
Closing regulatory gaps that allow fraudulent brokers to operate without accountability
Improving coordination between industry leaders and FMCSA enforcement
Creating a fairer marketplace where reputable companies are not undercut by dishonest operators
Gloria’s Commitment to National Reform
Gloria has already demonstrated what is possible at the state level. Her advocacy in Florida resulted in stronger consumer protection legislation for the moving industry that passed unanimously through both chambers of the Florida Legislature. She is now applying that same focused approach to federal reform.
“I am committed to driving meaningful change in consumer protection at the national level,” said Gloria Pugh. “Just as I was instrumental in strengthening consumer protection laws within Florida’s moving industry, I am now focused on enhancing protections through federal regulations under the U.S. Code for interstate moving. Families deserve a fair and safe experience, and I am dedicated to ensuring that integrity and accountability become standard across the industry.”
What This Means for AMWAT Clients
At AMWAT, consumer protection is not a talking point. It is how we operate every day. We are fully licensed under USDOT# 1377633, MC# 525791, and FL IM# 1026. We provide written binding estimates. We use full-time trained team members on every job. No day labor, ever.
When you hire AMWAT, you are hiring a company whose CEO is actively working to raise the standard for every moving company in America.
How to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Mover
Whether you choose AMWAT or another company, here is how to protect yourself:
Verify the mover’s USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
Verify Florida movers at the FDACS license search
Always get a written binding estimate
Research complaints on the FMCSA complaint database and BBB
Never hire a broker without knowing which carrier will actually move your goods
Ready to work with a mover you can trust? Contact AMWAT today.
