HOWARD COUNTY MOVING COMPANY REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement agreement with Magic Movers, Inc., located at 8242-A Sandy Court, Jessup, and its owner, Hassan Boussi.

Under the settlement, Magic Movers and Boussi agreed to stop offering or selling insurance to consumers unless they actually procure insurance for the consumers’ benefit. Magic Movers and Boussi also agreed to pay restitution to consumers to whom they had sold, but not actually provided, insurance, consisting of the amounts they charged for the insurance that was not provided less any payments the company paid consumers for damage claims. The Division has identified 112 consumers who are entitled to this restitution. Magic Movers must pay the Consumer Protection Division $32,039, which will be used by the Division to pay restitution to consumers and the Division’s investigation costs.

Magic Movers and Boussi also agreed to comply with state and federal law limiting its ability to assert a lien against a consumer’s goods when a dispute arises over the final moving bill. The settlement also requires Magic Movers to fully disclose the terms of its contract at the time it is hired by consumers and to arbitrate future disputes that arise between it and consumers.

"A moving company cannot misrepresent the services it is selling and take advantage of its customers on moving day," said Attorney General Curran.

The Attorney General advises consumers who purchase insurance through a moving company to ask for the name of the company providing the insurance, request a copy of the insurance policy, and ask whom they would contact to file a claim and what is necessary to file a claim.

Consumers with complaints against Magic Movers are encouraged to call the Consumer Protection Division’s complaint hotline at (410) 528-8662 or toll-free 1 (877) 261-8807.

#