Company's reputation hijacked by Flat Rate Movers, LLC

FOX 5 I-Team investigates

Company's reputation hijacked by Flat Rate Movers, LLC

Posted: Updated:
ATLANTA -

A local moving company's good name has been hijacked by a rogue moving company. Atlanta Flat Rate Movers says the confusion is costing them not only money, but their reputation.

They're a family business, and have been around seven years. They work hard to stay in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. But there's another company in town with a similar name, Flat Rate Movers, LLC. The names are nearly the same, but how they do business is not.

Atlanta Flat Rate Movers is licensed and insured. The company gets good marks with the BBB.  But customers of Flat Rate Movers, LLC have complained about its customer service to the I-Team.

A year and a half ago, Alex Breslav ran the operation at Flat Rate Movers, LLC. Federal investigators say the owner is rarely seen and has been associated with 10 different moving companies.  The feds shut them down, but they re-opened using another name, sometimes with someone else's name.

LaShunda and Brannon Burrage run Atlanta Flat Rate Movers.  A few years ago they told us they started to see an odd pattern of complaints coming in from customers who they'd never worked with.

"It would be single moms who had to relocate to another state for a job, and their things were being held hostage because Flat Rate Movers wanted more money than they originally quoted them," said LaShunda Burrage of Atlanta Flat Rate Movers.

Rick Streng blasted the knock-off company on an online complaint board. He says his moving price shot up $1,500 from the time they loaded him until they were ready for delivery.  He called to complain, but like many others rang up the wrong company.

"I got a wonderful lady who explained in detail that they're constantly getting confused by similar names," said Streng.

A little Internet research and Atlanta Flat Rate movers realized that not only was this other company mimicking their name but also piggybacking their hard-earned reputation.

"They refer their customers to our Better Business Bureau page and claim it as their own," said Burrage.

Federal investigators say they were looking into the company, but that was a year and a half ago. In an e-mail sent to the I-Team on Tuesday, they say Flat Rate Movers does not have operating authority and it has been served final orders to submit an operation plan.

If you are planning a move soon, you may want to visit Protect Your Move.

  • I-Team Story Archive

  • FOX 5 I-Team investigates

    Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
    The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
    The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.  
  • Monday, May 20 2013 8:26 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:26:58 GMT
    How many bank accounts do you have?  Most of us have a few.  But it might be time to start paring down.
    How many bank accounts do you have?  Most of us have a few.  But it might be time to start paring down.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
    Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
    Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.

Contact the FOX 5 I-Team

* denotes required fields

Log InNot you? Log out
We're sorry, but only one entry is allowed per person.
Thank you for your continued interest.

Thanks for contacting FOX 5.  To reach our newsroom by phone, please call (404) 898-0100.

  • Good Day Archive

  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:00 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:00:34 GMT
    When the pools open on Memorial Day weekend, it's going to be hard to keep your kids away from the water. 
    When the pools open on Memorial Day weekend, it's going to be hard to keep your kids away from the water.  But before summer gets into full swing, we've got some tips to help you make sure your children stay safe at the pool.
  • Meet the Good Day Pets for Monday, May 20!
    Meet the Good Day Pets for Monday, May 20!
  • Monday, May 20 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:52:30 GMT
    The nasty divorce between Real Housewives of Atlanta star Portia Stewart and her husband, former NFL star Kordell Stewart, just got nastier.
    The nasty divorce between Real Housewives of Atlanta star Portia Stewart and her husband, former NFL star Kordell Stewart, just got nastier.  TMZ's Harvey Levin filled us in on the latest on Good Day!
Powered by WorldNow

FOX 13 / WTVT-TV
3213 West Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33609
Main: (813) 876-1313
Newsroom: (813) 870-9630
Fax: (813) 871-3135

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices