Susan Chana Lask’s Moving Fraud Case Spurs Federal Crackdown and Senator Support

In April 2023, federal officials announced a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting moving company fraud following high-profile litigation and advocacy led by Susan Chana Lask. Lask’s federal RICO case against deceptive interstate moving companies became a catalyst for increased regulatory scrutiny and congressional attention.

The initiative, launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under the banner Operation Protect Your Move, followed public reporting on widespread moving scams—many of which mirrored the misconduct alleged in Lask’s litigation. Newsweek published this second story on Ms. Lask’s work.

Senator Richard Blumenthal’s Support Following Lask’s Case

After issues raised in Susan Chana Lask’s federal litigation gained national attention, Senator Richard Blumenthal urged Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to strengthen enforcement against fraudulent movers. His letter echoed concerns about deceptive licensing, hostage-style pricing tactics, and regulatory gaps highlighted in Lask’s case.

Blumenthal emphasized the need for stronger oversight to ensure moving companies do not exploit consumers or hold personal property hostage.

Susan Chana Lask’s Role in Exposing Systemic Moving Industry Fraud

Susan Chana Lask, a consumer protection attorney, filed federal litigation against moving brokers and carriers accused of operating coordinated fraud schemes, including bait-and-switch pricing, deceptive licensing practices, and threats to withhold or auction customer property.

Lask publicly criticized federal regulators for enabling repeat offenders through lax licensing practices, stating:

“The DOT is issuing licenses to steal,” said New York attorney Susan Chana Lask, who sued several moving companies in 2020 in a federal lawsuit that was resolved last year.

“They’re letting someone file for a license as a broker or a mover and all of a sudden, with that license, these sham movers and brokers are putting up websites and reeling consumers in for the big bait and switch,” said Lask, a consumer rights attorney. “You pay people to steal your property. Nothing seems more sad and vile.”

Her case highlighted regulatory gaps that allowed fraudulent movers to dissolve, rebrand, and resume operations under new federal licenses.

Federal Enforcement Response and Policy Impact

Following heightened public and legislative pressure, federal regulators announced expanded investigative deployments, increased staffing for moving-fraud enforcement, and stronger coordination with state attorneys general. Officials acknowledged longstanding enforcement limitations and the need for congressional action to strengthen penalties.

Susan Chana Lask’s litigation and advocacy contributed to broader public awareness, policy debate, and increased federal attention to moving-company fraud.

Consumer Harm and National Media Attention

National media coverage cited Susan Chana Lask’s moving-fraud litigation as a key example of consumer harm and regulatory failure. Victims described devastating losses of irreplaceable personal and family possessions, reinforcing the urgency of reform efforts linked to Lask’s case.