Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Briefing
My office entered an agreement today that requires 411-PAIN to change its advertising practices and to make a total charitable contribution of $550,000. We filed a lawsuit against Florida-based 411-PAIN for alleged misrepresentations to consumers.
Allegations included that the referral service misrepresented that consumers could be entitled up to $100,000 or more for injuries and lost wages sustained in accidents and that consumers could obtain more than $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection benefits or compensation for the injuries and lost wages, which is in violation of state law. Also, the company allegedly used actors dressed as police officers in advertisements without clearly disclosing that the individuals were paid actors.
The consent judgment bars 411-PAIN from the following practices: advertising any specific amount of monetary reward or lost wages; using a dollar amount in any advertising that promises more than $10,000 in PIP benefits; and depicting a police officer in an advertisement that does not clearly state the individual is a “paid actor.”
Of the $550,000 charitable contribution, $275,000 will go to the Broward Health Foundation for the direct benefit of indigent trauma patients who are sent to Broward General Hospital, and $275,000 will go to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital for the benefit of indigent pediatric trauma patients.
I am pleased that we are protecting consumers by requiring 411-PAIN to change its business practices.
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