Fighting fraud and protecting consumers is one of my top priorities. During National Consumer Protection Week, we announced major steps in combating fraud.
On Monday, we announced Florida’s new Senior Protection Team. This intra-agency team is comprised of leading members from our Office of Statewide Prosecution, Consumer Protection Division and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.This team of experts is working together and partnering with law enforcement, other state agencies and private advocates to focus on senior abuse, neglect, fraud, service related issues, long-term care, guardianship, law enforcement training and educational outreach.
For more information about the team, click here.
Tuesday, our office took action to shut down a Jacksonville roofing company taking deposits for repairs and then failing to finish the work. Many of the consumers victimized by this deceptive behavior are seniors and Floridians whose property suffered hurricane damage.
Imposter scams are becoming a major source of complaints in Florida and nationwide. On Wednesday, our Consumer Protection Division filed a complaint against two Michigan brothers posing as representatives of government agencies to trick Florida businesses into paying for publicly available services.For tips about how to spot an imposter scam, click here.
Thursday, we joined the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and other state attorneys general in a nationwide sweep to stop tech support scams. As part of the sweep, we took action in three separate cases against tech support scams operating in Florida.
These are just a few examples of the strides we take daily to protect consumers. When we fight fraud, we are sending signals to businesses, tourists, families and retirees that Florida is a safe place to invest, visit, raise children and live out your dreams.
Capitalism works best without criminals, and I want to encourage anyone who encounters a scam or suspects fraud to immediately report it to my office by filing a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.
In The News
Florida attorney general launches crackdown on senior scams, WTVT
State AG wants Jacksonville roofer fined, forced to pay back victims, WJXT
Florida Attorney General sacks bogus veterans charity following 8 On Your Side investigation, WFLA
Florida Attorney General’s Opioid Working Group Releases Final Report To Fight Crisis, Space Coast Daily
Focus, cooperation needed to combat human trafficking, Panama City News Herald
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Announces Senior Protection Team to Fight Fraud and Abuse
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Florida’s Senior Protection Team, an intra-agency group of experts working together to fight fraud and abuse. The team is comprised of leading members from the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Consumer Protection Division and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Seniors v. Crime and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also actively assist the team with investigations and outreach efforts.
The goal is to bring attorneys and investigators specialized in fighting civil, criminal and health care fraud together to develop strategies to protect Floridians 60 and older. The team is already meeting with experts and stakeholders across the state to develop aggressive ways to combat fraud against seniors. Read More
Attorney General Moody Takes Action to Stop Roofing Scam
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Consumer Protection Division filed a complaint against a Jacksonville construction company for scamming Floridians in need of roofing repairs. The complaint alleges that Kinnecorps, LLC, and manager, Roger Van Den Bosch, Jr., violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by taking money from consumers for roofing construction and then failing to finish the work. Many of the consumers victimized by this deceptive behavior include senior citizens and Floridians whose property suffered hurricane damage.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Our Consumer Protection Division is taking action against a shady roofing company scamming seniors and hurricane victims in Florida. We will not tolerate unscrupulous contractors preying on Floridians, especially our seniors and those trying to recover from hurricanes.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Urges Congress to Act Against Illegal Robocalls
Attorney General Ashley Moody urged the United States Senate to enact the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act. The Act is designed to reduce the number of illegal robocalls and fight spoofing—the practice of using technology to disguise a caller’s phone number. A coalition of 54 attorneys general sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation supporting the TRACED Act.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Floridians and people around the country are receiving billions of robocalls every year. Often these robocalls are pitching phony products, sham services or spurious sweepstakes in an effort to trick people into parting with their money. While we continue to fight illegal robocalls on multiple fronts, we need Congress to pass the TRACED Act to help bolster our efforts to better protect consumers in Florida and nationwide.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Takes Action to Shutdown Imposter Scam
This National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Floridians to be aware of imposter scams. Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division is also taking action to stop an imposter scam targeting Florida businesses. The division filed a complaint against two Michigan brothers operating an imposter scam in Florida. According to the complaint, Joe and Steven Fata sent misleading solicitations appearing to originate from state government agencies to Florida businesses. The brothers posed as representatives of state agencies and offered what appeared to be government services for a fee.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This imposter scam involved people posing as government agency representatives in an effort to trick business owners into purchasing public documents and services that are often available for much lower fees. We are also seeing an increase in reports of fraudsters pretending to be with the IRS, local utility companies and even law enforcement agencies. Floridians should remain on the lookout for imposter scams and do research before submitting any payments in response to a solicitation.” Read More
Florida Joins Nationwide Sweep to Stop Tech Support Scams
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office joined the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and other state attorneys general in a nationwide sweep to stop tech support scams. As part of the sweep, Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division took action in three separate cases to shutdown tech support scams operating in Florida—with the latest court action filed during National Consumer Protection Week.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Tech support scams prey on people’s fear and insecurity about technology to trick them into paying for repairs and services they do not need. These fraudsters often contact seniors hoping their inexperience with technology will make them easy targets. Our Consumer Protection Division is actively identifying, investigating and taking these unscrupulous fraudsters to court.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the newly-formed Senior Protection Team. The intra-agency team of highly-skilled attorneys and investigators is laser focused on identifying, investigating and eliminating fraud and abuse harming Florida seniors.
Following the news conference announcing the Senior Protection Team, Attorney General Moody received her official Office of Statewide Prosecution badge from Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox.
Attorney General Moody serving as the Grand Marshal of the Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City, the Attorney General’s hometown.
Following the news conference announcing the Senior Protection Team, Attorney General Moody received her official Office of Statewide Prosecution badge from Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox.
Attorney General Moody serving as the Grand Marshal of the Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City, the Attorney General’s hometown.
Attorney General Moody welcoming Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood to the State Capitol for the first day of Florida’s 2019 Legislative Session.
Attorney General Moody meeting with Leaders 4 Life Fellows of the Take Stock in Children program outside her office in the State Capitol. Take Stock in Children is a nonprofit organization aiming to provide mentors and college scholarships to low-income students in Florida.
Attorney General Moody speaking about the opioid crisis during Palm Beach County Days in Tallahassee. Attorney General Moody is championing legislation to create a statewide opioid task force.
Attorney General Moody meeting with members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau to discuss the groups’ legislative priorities.
Attorney General Moody with Florida’s first responders at the State Capitol.
Members of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division in Tampa serving meals to guests of Trinity Café. Trinity Café’s mission is to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless and hungry while serving a nutritious meal.
Pictured left to right: Senior Legal Assistant Zivile Rimkevicius, Financial Investigator Patricia Rossie, Assistant Attorney General Tony Bradlow, Senior Financial Investigator Laura Hughes, Administrative Assistant II Angela Godbey and Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Martin
Pictured left to right: Senior Legal Assistant Zivile Rimkevicius, Financial Investigator Patricia Rossie, Assistant Attorney General Tony Bradlow, Senior Financial Investigator Laura Hughes, Administrative Assistant II Angela Godbey and Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Martin