HARRISBURG - May is National Moving Month, and spring and summer are prime moving times for those relocating to new homes and for students coming back from college.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission offers tips to consumers and reminds those relocating to avoid the use of unlicensed moving companies.The PUC regulates household movers that operate between points within the state. These movers are required to have a certificate of public convenience issued by the PUC and must have the proper insurance on file. As required by law, they also must charge fees according to the rates on file with the PUC.In addition to making sure the moving company is licensed by the PUC, the commission recommends consumers receive an Information for Shippers form before signing any agreements. This form provides the following information:• A written estimate based on applicable tariff charges (hourly rate if distance is 40 miles or less) or on a weight and mileage basis (if distance is over 40 miles);• Insurance information - loss or damages automatic protection is insured up to 60 cents per pound per article. (If additional protection is desired, a consumer must purchase it through the moving company or private insurer.)Consumers should also obtain more than one estimate, since charges do vary among companies. PUC-certified household movers are required to place their certificate number in all forms of advertisements, including telephone books or online ads, such as those found on sites like Craigslist. The PUC number is a number that will range from six to eight digits in length and will begin with an "A."If an ad does not contain a PUC number, consumers may be hiring an uncertified and uninsured carrier.A complete list of carriers holding PUC operating authority, as well as any complaint history, is available on the commission's website.Listed complaints could concern billing issues, difficulty contacting the company, dissatisfaction with service or other issues. Consumers can search by company name, utility code or carrier ID and should view complaints as only one measure of a company's customer service.Consumers can call the commission's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement at 717-783-5010 to verify information on any carrier, or they can file a complaint at 1-800-692-7380 or on the PUC website.Consumers moving across state lines can check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website for certificated carriers before moving. If they encounter an issue, consumers can file a complaint on FMCSA's website or at 1-888-DOT-SAFT.Carriers must complete a detailed inventory that lists all items to be moved and their condition before moving, although a consumer can waive this requirement for moves that are less than 40 miles. At the conclusion of your move, consumers are urged to check delivered items for missing or damaged goods - before signing the delivery receipt.Note any problems (service or damages) on the delivery sheet and do not sign until all items have been moved. Keep all paperwork given to you by the moving company.Consumers can view the complaint histories of certificated carriers. The search feature on the PUC's website allows consumers to find and view formal complaints filed against all regulated entities.Consumers should view complaints as only one measure of a company's customer service. Complaints could concern billing issues, difficulty contacting the company, dissatisfaction with service or other issues.Consumers can search by company name, utility code or carrier ID. Complaints found on the database are formal complaints only; informal complaints filed with the commission are not part of the public record.For more information about the PUC, visit

www.puc.pa.gov.