Local

Man says fake mover stole more than $60K in property

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — A Colorado man says a “fake mover” from College Park stole more than $60,000 worth of his stuff.

“The intention was never to deliver my stuff, the intention was to take my stuff,” said Rocky Paiano, who hired Tasheen Pickett, and another man to move him to Colorado.  Pickett ran J & P Mover. Paiano says he discovered Picket through a third party broker online.

Federal investigators charged Tasheen Raphael Pickett and Shedrick Giles on theft charges. They are accused of running a multistate scheme to rip off families. Inspectors with the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General found storage units at a Public Storage facility in East Point and Decatur packed with about 14 families' personal goods, that were never delivered.

“I figured four or five months into it... I would never see my stuff again,” Paiano said. Paiano said they stole many items that can’t be replaced including pictures, cards, and custom made bikes.

Online complaint boards are full of dozens of upset costumers.

One customer wrote: “my stuff was picked up on June 25 in North Caroline and we have not been able to get in contact with Mr. Pickket I have called every day for the last month and nothing.”

They are charged with conspiracy, transportation of stolen property, and possession of stolen property.

So far, attempts to reach Pickett by Channel 2 Action News have been unsuccessful.

Some “red flags” to watch for when hiring movers, according to the Better Business Bureau, include:

• Movers who don’t make an on-site inspection of your household goods and give an estimate over the phone or by email. Such estimates often sound—and are—too good to be true.

• Movers who demand cash or a large deposit before the move.

• Movers who don’t provide you with a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a booklet that movers are required to supply to customers planning interstate moves.

• Company websites that have no address and no information about a mover’s registration or insurance.

• Movers who claim all items are covered by their insurance.

• Telephone calls answered with a generic “movers” or “moving company” rather than a company name.

• Offices or warehouses that are in poor condition or don’t exist.

• On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck.