Direct Relocation Services warns Florida movers about broker scams

Direct Relocation Services is urging Florida residents planning interstate moves in 2026 to verify a company’s federal credentials before paying a deposit. The warning comes as Florida generates some of the nation’s highest volumes of moving complaints, many tied to brokers rather than licensed carriers.

Why it matters: - Florida residents face a high risk of dealing with moving brokers that can collect deposits without taking responsibility for pricing, timing or cargo handling. - Interstate moves are governed by federal rules, and customers have rights that can affect price, delivery and the release of household goods. - A quick federal credential check can help consumers avoid surprise charges and delays before a move crosses state lines.

What happened: - Direct Relocation Services, a licensed direct interstate carrier based in Fort Lauderdale, is warning Florida residents planning interstate relocations in 2026 to verify any mover before paying a deposit. - The company says most firms advertising interstate moving services in Florida are brokers, not licensed direct carriers. - Direct Relocation Services points Florida customers to motus.dot.gov to search a mover’s USDOT number before signing a contract. - For Direct Relocation Services, the USDOT search for #3000931 shows Entity Type: CARRIER and Broker Authority: NONE.

The details: - The company says a carrier owns its trucks, employs its crews and accepts legal responsibility for the move from pickup to delivery. - A broker sells the move to a third-party carrier, often based on the cheapest available option. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data show Florida draws more moving complaints than almost any other state. - The company says most of those complaints involve brokers. - An interstate move is any relocation that crosses state lines, including moves from Florida to Texas, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia or California. - Every company handling an interstate move from Florida must hold active federal FMCSA carrier authority. - Federal law gives customers the right to a binding estimate, the right to be present at weighing and the right to have belongings released when the binding amount is paid. - Holding belongings for more payment beyond a binding estimate is a federal violation that can be reported to the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238. - Direct Relocation Services says it has specialized exclusively in interstate relocations from Florida and Georgia to all 48 contiguous states since 2015. - The company says it provides binding estimates on every Florida interstate move based on an inventory of the customer’s belongings. - Direct Relocation Services says 95% of final invoices match the original estimate exactly. - The company says it has 2,000-plus verified reviews across Google, Trustpilot, BBB, HomeAdvisor, MoveAdvisor, MyMovingJourney, MyGoodMovers, Verified Movers and ConsumerAffairs. - Direct Relocation Services says it holds a BBB A-rating and full accreditation. - The company says it ranks among the top 10 movers in Fort Lauderdale on Angi out of 1,735 listed companies, with a 100% response rate and a 30-minute average response time. - Consumers can review the company’s interstate moving guide and credential information at more information. - Direct Relocation Services says it handles moves from every Florida city and county to all 48 contiguous states. - The company’s most requested routes include Florida to Texas, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia and California. - Direct Relocation Services is headquartered at 4901 NW 17th Way Suite 605, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. - The company says it was founded in 2015 by Justin Perez and Diego Asorey and has more than 11 years of experience. - Direct Relocation Services says it is BBB A-rated and accredited, has 2,000-plus verified reviews and has been featured in AP News, USA TODAY Network, National Law Review, Redfin and more than 300 news outlets nationwide. - The company says it is a proud partner of Move For Hunger. - Direct Relocation Services can be reached at 855.378.3110 and at the company’s website. - The company’s social media pages are on Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The warning is as much about consumer verification as it is about company branding. - The most important distinction for a customer is whether a mover is the actual carrier or a broker arranging the job with another company. - In a long-distance move, that distinction affects who is legally accountable if prices change or belongings are delayed.

What's next: - Florida residents planning interstate moves in 2026 are being encouraged to check a mover’s USDOT record before paying any deposit. - Direct Relocation Services is steering consumers to federal records and its own interstate moving guide as the first step in the selection process. - The company says customers should treat the carrier-versus-broker check as mandatory before booking any move across state lines.