Fraud Investigation
The Zenith Moving Group Playbook:
FaceTime Walkthrough, Text Promises,
Then Double the Price
A Florida moving broker quoted $3,999 after two FaceTime walkthroughs. The sales rep texted that the price would not change. Two days before the move, a “quality assurance” call doubled it to $7,787. The consumer saved every text and email. Here is the full chain.
Published July 2026 · View Zenith Moving Group profile →
$3,999
Original quote
$7,787
Final charge
+95%
Price increase
2 days
Notice given
The Playbook
Zenith Moving Group LLC (USDOT 4046181, MC 1532221) is a household goods broker registered in Delray Beach, Florida with zero trucks and zero drivers. The company's mailing address is in Boynton Beach, FL, the same South Florida corridor as Safe Ship Moving Services, Safe Shield Moving Services, and Value Added Moving.
The operation follows a specific sequence. A sales representative conducts a detailed FaceTime walkthrough of the customer's home, building trust through personal attention and producing a binding estimate. When the customer asks about hidden fees, the rep provides explicit written reassurance via text message. Then the rep disappears.
A second employee takes over and schedules a “quality assurance” call 2-3 days before the move, when the customer has no realistic option to cancel. On this call, the price is increased substantially, justified by claims of additional cubic footage and accessorial charges that were never mentioned during the walkthrough. By this point, the customer has paid a deposit, scheduled time off work, and committed to vacating their home.
When the customer pushes back, the company responds with legal-sounding language implying that filing complaints “not supported by the documentation” could constitute an “inaccurate representation of the transaction.”
Named Employees
Sydney Arnold
Sales Representative
Conducted two FaceTime walkthroughs. Provided binding estimate of $3,999.81. Texted consumer that price would not change. Ceased all communication on May 23 after handoff. Subsequent calls met with “family emergency” or “can't take your call.”
Tom Muzio
Quality Assurance / Retention
Took over after Arnold disappeared. Ran the “quality assurance” call two days before the move that nearly doubled the price. Claimed consumers “didn't show everything to Sydney Arnold.”
Full Correspondence
The following is the complete chain of communications between the consumer and Zenith Moving Group, reconstructed from text messages and emails provided to Trunk. Reporter name abbreviated for privacy.
Sydney Arnold (Zenith Sales)
May 17, 2026
Provided binding estimate of $3,999.81 after two FaceTime walkthroughs of the home.
Karen S. (Consumer)
May 23, 2026
Hey there! There aren't any additional charge fees that we don't know about, are there?
Sydney Arnold (Zenith Sales)
May 23, 2026
Good morning, Karen! I'm pretty sure we covered everything. The only thing that could cause your price to change would be if you added additional items to your inventory and I don't foresee that being the case at all just based on what I saw during the FaceTime call that we did.
Karen S. (Consumer)
May 23, 2026
I didn't realize they were a broker. I've seen movers cheaper. Can I cancel the move with Zenith?
Zenith (Owner, phone call)
May 23, 2026
[Called immediately after cancellation request.] Told Karen that cheaper ads are just to get you in, but they will cost about the same as Zenith. Karen decided to proceed at $3,999.
Note
May 23, 2026
Sydney Arnold ceased all communication after this date. When Karen tried to call, she was told Sydney was out on a family emergency or could not take the call.
Tom Muzio (Zenith QA)
May 30, 2026
Dear Karen & Ray, This is Thomas reaching out with a heads up regarding your quality assurance phone call. In an effort to ensure your move is handled properly, there will be a very important phone call 3-5 days before your scheduled pickup. Your move is very important and it is imperative that we have a clear understanding of your relocation needs. We want to make sure that you, as well as your moving team encounter no surprises on the day of pickup.
Tom Muzio (Zenith QA)
June 8, 2026
[Quality Assurance call, two days before move.] Price increased from $3,999.81 to $7,787.96. Claimed additional cubic footage (418 to 858 cu ft). Added charges: one-day pickup window ($150), two additional stops ($400), fuel surcharge ($324.32), bulky item/toolbox ($100). Tom Muzio stated that the consumers "didn't show everything to Sydney Arnold."
Karen S. (Consumer)
July 20, 2026
I am writing because in the past month I've been dwelling on this move and how the price jumped from $3,991.81 to $7,787.96. That is a $3,796.15 jump from the original quote and I know, you know, that I was scammed by a bait and switch. I checked out my recourse of action against this but thought I'd check with you first to give you a chance to make this right before I file for a CC Chargeback, file a formal complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, reach out to my Attorney General's consumer protection division, and then explain this transaction on Google Reviews. There was nothing in our house to make the move jump that high. I am requesting a refund of $3,796.15.
Customer Service (Zenith Moving Group)
July 20, 2026
Dear Mrs. Schaden, Thank you for your email. We have carefully reviewed your move file and all documentation associated with your shipment. Our records show that your original signed estimate, dated 05/12/2026, was based on 418 cubic feet. The estimated volume was later revised based on updates provided during the booking process: 05/20/2026: Your estimated shipment volume increased to 664 cubic feet. During your Quality Assurance call, completed two days prior to your move, the inventory was reviewed again and increased to 858 cubic feet. In addition to the increase in cubic footage, the final charges reflected additional services and fees associated with your shipment, including: One-day pickup window: $150.00 Two additional stops: $400.00 Additional fuel surcharge: $324.32 Bulky item charge for the toolbox: $100.00 We understand that you may wish to pursue additional review through your financial institution, the Better Business Bureau, your Attorney General's consumer protection division, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We are prepared to provide the applicable documentation to any authorized reviewing agency. We also want to clarify that submitting claims or allegations that are not supported by the documentation may result in an inaccurate representation of the transaction. We encourage all parties to rely on the records and supporting evidence when submitting any formal dispute or complaint.
Karen S. (Consumer)
July 20, 2026
ALSO THEY KNEW ABOUT THE TOOLBOX AS RAY SENT THEM PICTURES and told them he didn't know what it weighed but it was more than 300 lbs and he was told that wasn't a problem. But of course, that didn't matter either. Look at all the hidden fees that we were told wouldn't be! That's very deceptive practices!
Customer Service (Zenith Moving Group)
July 21, 2026
Dear Mrs. Schaden, Thank you for your additional emails. We understand that you disagree with the final charges; however, we must reiterate that no fees were hidden. All potential charges that may apply to a shipment are disclosed in the documents you reviewed and signed before your move. These documents explain that the final cost is based on the confirmed inventory, services requested, and any applicable accessorial charges. Regarding the additional stops, toolbox, fuel surcharge, and other services, these are not hidden fees. They are charges identified in the signed agreement as potentially applicable depending on the final details of the move. While we strive to provide the most accurate estimates possible, estimates are based on the information available at the time and are subject to change if the inventory or services change before the move. This is also disclosed in the documentation provided during the booking process. After reviewing your file, including the signed agreements and supporting documentation, we have determined that the charges were assessed in accordance with the terms of your contract. Therefore, we are unable to approve your request for a refund. If you choose to pursue a review through your financial institution or a consumer protection agency, we will cooperate fully and provide all relevant documentation supporting the charges and the services performed.
Why This Works
The FaceTime walkthrough creates an unusual level of trust. Most moving brokers quote over the phone or via an online form. Zenith's sales rep spent time on video, looking at every room, building a personal relationship. The consumer felt they had been thorough.
The text message is the key piece of evidence. When a consumer asks “are there any hidden fees?” and gets a written answer saying “I don't foresee that being the case at all,” that creates reasonable reliance. The consumer proceeds based on that assurance.
The timing of the “quality assurance” call, two days before the move, is not accidental. At that point the consumer has packed, scheduled movers to arrive, possibly given notice to a landlord, and taken time off work. The cost of canceling and rebooking at the last minute often exceeds the price increase, which the broker knows.
The corporate response follows a template: acknowledge the complaint, cite the signed paperwork, list the line items, then include a veiled threat about “inaccurate representation.” This language is designed to discourage the consumer from filing complaints or leaving reviews.
What to Do If This Happens to You
- 1.Save every text, email, and voicemail. Screenshot conversations immediately.
- 2.File a credit card chargeback if you paid by card. You have 120 days from the charge.
- 3.File an FMCSA complaint at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.
- 4.File with your State Attorney General's consumer protection division.
- 5.Report the mover on Trunk so other consumers can see the pattern.
Related
This report was produced by Trunk based on a consumer complaint submitted directly to the platform, including text messages and email correspondence provided by the consumer. FMCSA data sourced from the SAFER database. Zenith Moving Group LLC is registered as a Broker of Household Goods (USDOT 4046181, MC 1532221) with zero trucks and zero drivers. Reporter name abbreviated for privacy. Full documentation on file.