02/19/2022
“Proud American Vanlines called itself a moving company but customers say it functioned more like a kidnapping ring for furniture, abducting possessions and holding them hostage. According to the Justice Department, the Fort Lauderdale-based company stole the identities of reputable moving companies and used them to lure in unsuspecting customers… [The] feds say, the company would load up the truck with a customer’s possessions then jack up the price — threatening to auction off the goods unless the customer paid in full…Friday the owners and operators of Proud American Vanlines were indicted for allegedly scamming customers out of over $12 million. Matthew K. Pardi, 37, of Fort Lauderdale and Ashley Lynn Hars, 36, of Plantation were charged with wire fraud, interstate transportation of property obtained by fraud and aggravated identity theft, as well as holding customers’ belongings for ransom.” If you’ve ever used the moving services of Proud American Vanlines, this article is a must read. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article258566578.html?utm_source=pushly&intcid=pushly_1897840
