Complaints against moving company growing during KMBC 9 Investigation

---

Updated: 5:05 PM CDT May 19, 2026

---

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Matt Flener

KMBC 9 News Investigative Reporter

Complaints are growing against a New Jersey moving company, according to a federal Department of Transportation database, as KMBC 9 Investigates is looking into what customers call bait-and-switch tactics by the company.

John Levy is the latest customer to reach out to KMBC after he hired Howards Vanlines to move his items from Ohio to Florida.

The mover showed up to load his household goods, including all the tools and supplies he uses as a plumber. But when delivery to Florida came, the mover called him to let him know he wouldn't be delivering to his doorstep as promised.

Instead, the mover required Levy to get a U-Haul and meet him at a local Walmart parking lot to load his items. The mover used high-pressure tactics to get him to sign a document, but Levy would not let it happen. He realized professional plumbing tools, boxes of items and other important documents were missing.

"As a plumber, this is my livelihood," Levy said.

He also believes someone forged his signature on a moving document.

"I just want to help other people avoid the confusion and the pain that I've had to go through," he said.

Levy's story mirrors complaints from an Independence couple, Ted and Emily Knox.

The Knoxes are trying to find their household goods after Howards Vanlines upcharged the couple by $15,000 after loading their items onto a truck.

Independence couple still searching for items after moving company's payment demands

They're now in the process of replacing all their documents, like car titles, Social Security cards and other items that went with the moving truck. They believe tens of thousands of household items are now at risk of being gone forever.

U.S. Department of Transportation complaint records against Howards Vanlines show 68 complaints against the company already this year.

New Jersey business records show the company was incorporated in 2025 but changed owners five months later.

The Knoxes contacted KMBC 9 Investigates for help and to warn others.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General offered the following tips when choosing a moving company:

• Contact various reputable, long-standing moving companies to compare estimates and get a foundation of what the legitimate cost of your move will be.
• Ask the moving company if they will be conducting the move or if it is being brokered for fulfillment by another company.
• Keep all records of contracts, proof of payments and communication with the moving company.
• Carefully examine the reviews on various online business rating websites to ensure they contain more than just recent glowing reviews.
• Use online street-view and satellite maps to research the moving company's address to verify that the address is a business and not a residence.

If you have gone through something similar or need help getting your items back, email investigates@kmbc.com.