Press Release

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Motor Carrier Services and Enforcement Division is warning consumers who are considering hiring a household mover to make certain that the mover is properly licensed and insured to operate in Pennsylvania. 

The PUC's Bureau of Transportation and Safety regulates household movers that operate in the state. Movers are required to have a certificate of public convenience issued by the PUC and must have the proper insurance on file. 

They must also charge rates in accordance with their official tariff on file with the PUC. Consumers should obtain a written estimate from the moving company.

            “PUC certificated household movers are required by regulation to place their certificate number in all forms of advertisements, including Yellow Page ads,” said Michael Hoffman, Director of the Bureau of Transportation and Safety. “If the ad doesn’t contain a PUC number, consumers may be hiring an uncertificated and uninsured carrier.”

Also, Hoffman said the company name, city, state and Pennsylvania PUC number will be displayed on both sides of the vehicle.

Consumers can call the PUC’s five district offices to file complaints or to check if a moving company is licensed. The phone numbers for the offices include: Harrisburg, (717) 787- 1168; Scranton, (570) 963-4590; Philadelphia, (215) 952-1190, Altoona, (814) 946-7318; and Pittsburgh, (412) 565-3553.

Consumers also may visit the PUC’s Internet homepage at www.puc.paonline.com and look under Consumer Services to submit a moving company complaint via email. Brochures are also available by contacting the district offices.