Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Files Lawsuit Against Dorm2Dorm | City of New York

Consumer and Worker Protection


Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Files Lawsuit Against Dorm2Dorm for Exploiting College Students

March 6, 2023

Consumers who were deceived by Dorm2Dorm for moving and storage services are urged to file a complaint with DCWP

NEW YORK, NY – Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced that DCWP has filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court against Dorm2Dorm LLC, a moving and storage company that targets New York City area college students, alleging thousands of violations of the City’s Consumer Protection Law. DCWP’s complaint charges that Dorm2Dorm preys on college students and their parents/guardians, regularly failing to provide the services that consumers paid for and that Dorm2Dorm advertised, including consistently late pickups and deliveries, misplacing possessions, returning them damaged or broken, and deceiving consumers with false promises of a 25% “instant rebate.” DCWP’s lawsuit seeks civil penalties, restitution for consumers, and a court order instructing the company to cease its false and deceptive advertisements. DCWP encourages anyone who feels deceived by Dorm2Dorm to file a consumer complaint.

“New York City is a place of opportunity – people come from all over the world to live and study here, and we will not allow them to be the target of exploitative business practices,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “College students, like many of the people targeted by predatory businesses, are vulnerable consumers, often living alone for the first time with tight budgets and student loans. No person deserves to see their valued possessions mishandled, misplaced, or irreparably damaged because the company they trusted scammed them. DCWP will not hesitate to hold predatory businesses like Dorm2Dorm accountable for their actions. Anyone who feels that they’ve been deceived by Dorm2Dorm should reach out to us immediately.”

DCWP launched an investigation in September 2022 after receiving more than a dozen consumer complaints directly from NYC students and from the Better Business Bureau alleging that Dorm2Dorm had willfully deceived consumers about the services offered. Through interviews, research into the company, and a review of publicly available consumer complaints, DCWP determined that Dorm2Dorm consistently violated the City’s Consumer Protection Law.

Consumers who were deceived by Dorm2Dorm are encouraged to call 311 and say “Dorm2Dorm” or visit nyc.gov/dcwp to file a complaint.

The investigation was handled by Staff Counsel Opeyemi Akinsile, under the supervision of Kristen Dusseau of the General Counsel Division, which is led by DCWP’s General Counsel Michael Tiger and Deputy General Counsel Melissa Iachán.

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 51,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Michael Lanza
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov

Michael Lanza

(212) 436-0042