Scammed and starting over completely from scratch

Hi, my name is Jermaine Turner.

I’m a husband, father of five, and soon-to-be dad to twin boys due this November. We recently made the move from Virginia back to our true home—Spokane, Washington—in hopes of raising our growing family in a safer, more supportive environment. What we didn’t expect was to lose everything we owned in the process.

The Nightmare We Never Saw Coming:

After a difficult year in Virginia, we decided to return home. With my wife Maria pregnant with twins, we needed help, so we hired a moving company that seemed legitimate.

We paid an initial deposit of nearly $3,000, plus $700 deposit for car transport. We thought we were all set. But instead of receiving help, we were hit with a scam.

Once our belongings were loaded into the truck, the movers demanded $3,700 more—outside our signed agreement. We had no choice but to pay via card, plus a processing fee. After the fact we found out our things weren’t even headed to Spokane. They were rerouted to a warehouse in New Jersey, with no intention of arriving at our home.

As communication from the company became confrontational and demanding, our fears grew. We later discovered they operated under three different names, had dozens of complaints, and were running a massive bait-and-switch scheme.

Even worse, the car transport they arranged never showed. They stopped responding—until hours before our flight—when they demanded more than double the original cost, to continue with the job. Thankfully, Maria’s sister stepped in last-minute to store our vehicles and help us rebook with a trustworthy company.

But our home… our memories… our children’s toys, clothes, keepsakes, baby furniture, family photos, furniture, wife’s work computer, kitchenware and much more… are now being held hostage in a warehouse, with the this scamming company demanding nearly $4,000 in cash to release them—with no guarantee they’ll even deliver. We haven’t seen our items since July 17th

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Where We Stand Now:

We arrived in Spokane with only what we could carry in suitcases and few items we snuck into the trunk of our car that was transported. We’re rebuilding completely from scratch—while preparing for the arrival of our twin boys.

We’ve filed fraud claims. We’ve reached out to for legal advice, consumer protection, and the BBB. But the damage is done, and we’re still without our belongings only being told to seek legal action and sue which is not as simple as it sounds and is expensive.

The hardest part? Explaining to our kids that they may never see their toys, books, or pictures, and personal keepsakes again.

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How You Can Help:

We’re not expecting to recover everything—some things are simply irreplaceable. But with your help, we can begin rebuilding there are some items we have coming in but all other items we just have to repurchase.

• Toys for our kids (board Games)

• Baby items for our incoming twins diapers and clothes

• Household basics

• Gift cards ( for groceries, razors, soaps, household needs that were lost)

• Emergency savings cushion for ongoing recovery (this being the biggest need of all after all of the financial losses due to the move)

We are starting over completely. And any amount or aid, no matter how small, helps more than you know.

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Still Holding onto Faith:

Despite everything, we still believe God is good. We trust that He will provide through patience and the kindness of people willing to help. We’re holding on to hope—and pressing forward as a family.

If you feel led to help in any way—whether by giving, sharing, or praying—we are deeply grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you.

— The Turner Family