The Bureau of Household Goods and Services reported on Oct. 16 that enforcement teams have conducted multi-county sweeps, opened investigations from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration referrals and expanded collections efforts to recover unpaid fines.

In a presentation to the advisory council, Enforcement Chief Alda Aguirre said the bureau’s enforcement program is organized into Northern and Southern Special Investigations units, a Compliance Unit and Case Management. Supervising investigator Travis Cook summarized recent activity, including DA and attorney-general referrals and multiagency task-force cooperation.

"On 07/24/2025, the bureau received updates on the Ventura County DA cases filed against three mover businesses," Cook said, describing arrests and court actions tied to a November 2024 scheme. He also described several FMCSA referrals: field agents in July and August referred unlicensed interstate movers for investigation after inspections and CFP reports.

The bureau used targeted compliance sweeps as outreach and enforcement. Cook said a July sweep of delinquent and unlicensed furniture, home‑furnishings and mover businesses in the Santa Cruz–Monterey area contacted 42 businesses and resulted in 16 citations totaling $6,500. A later Fresno sweep checked 46 businesses and resulted in 18 citations totaling $6,250 (amounts do not include delinquent fees). The bureau said a statewide household‑mover sweep was scheduled for October.

Aguirre described cease-and-desist letters as an early step for unlicensed operations: "This is an opportunity for businesses to be educated on the requirements," she said, and noted the letters permit education before escalating enforcement.

Recognizing historically low collections on issued citations, the bureau launched a collections unit in October 2024. From launch through March 31, 2025 the unit sent 102 notices and referred seven cases to the Franchise Tax Board. Between April 1 and Aug. 31, 2025 the unit sent 181 notices and made 67 referrals. The bureau reported $15,820 collected through the collections process as of Sept. 1, 2025.

Alda Aguirre and staff also summarized consumer assistance cases that were resolved without formal litigation, including negotiated refunds or replacements: examples included a repaired refrigerator replaced with a $2,399 model after multiple failed repair attempts, an $8,000 settlement refund to a mover’s customer alleging a $10,000 overcharge, and a $5,800 settlement for damages following an improper dishwasher installation.

Council members urged clearer public communication about enforcement outcomes. Council member Steve White Young recommended more press releases and public postings so consumers and licensees can readily see citations and decisions; staff responded that citation records and decisions are posted on the bureau website and that staff are working on a more user‑friendly presentation and outreach.

The enforcement report noted ongoing coordination with the FMCSA, the Attorney General’s Office, several county DAs, the Better Business Bureau and other partners. The bureau said its enforcement work includes education, proactive sweeps and referrals leading to both citations and criminal or civil actions when warranted.

Ending: Enforcement staff said they expect increased citation activity following the scheduled statewide mover sweep and encouraged the public to consult the bureau’s website for posted citations and decisions.