Florida Consumer Complaints & Resources (2024)

FAQs

How do I file a consumer complaint in Florida? ›

Florida Attorney General's hotline helps victims of any type of fraud or unfair trade practices get the assistance they need; toll-Free 1-866-966-7226. Once at the Florida Bar website, click on "Consumer Services;" also see fee arbitration program, fee mediation program.

The Division of Consumer Services offers a variety of information and resources to educate consumers regarding numerous insurance and financial topics. Our mission is to proactively educate and assist Florida's insurance and financial consumers through responsive, professional and innovative service.

Consumer laws in Florida set out to protect residents from scams and enforce their rights against both the government and large corporations. The statues generally lay out consumers' rights in the marketplace. They are intended to safeguard citizens in commercial transactions, and protect them from financial harm.

The Division protects consumers by pursuing individuals and entities that engage in unfair methods of competition or unconscionable, deceptive and unfair practices in trade or commerce. The Division also partners with other state attorneys general as well as state and federal agencies in joint enforcement efforts.

You, the plaintiff, must file a “Statement of Claim” form, available at your Clerk's office. This must be fully completed and signed to receive a pre-trial conference date. If your claim is based upon written documentation, attach a copy of the contract to the Statement of Claim form. You may file by mail or in person.

§§ 1692 and following) and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) regulate debt collectors. The FDCPA applies to every state and protects consumers from unfair and deceptive debt collection practices. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from contacting you at certain times and places.

Whoever knowingly communicates false information that a consumer product has been tampered with, if such tampering, had it occurred, would create a risk of death or bodily injury to another person, is guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (or “FDUTPA”) is Florida legislation which operates to protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices such as unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts or practices and unfair or deceptive acts or practice in the conduct or trade of a business.

Section 501.1735 - Protection of children in online spaces; public records exemption (1) DEFINITIONS. -As used in this section, the term: (a) "Child" or "children" means a consumer or consumers who are under 18 years of age.

It involves statutes and regulations that seek to prevent businesses from using unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in sales and similar transactions. Consumer protection law can cover the sale and advertising of goods, services, and consumer financial products like credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages.

What is the statute 501.702 in Florida? ›

As used in this part, the term: (1) "Affiliate" means a legal entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another legal entity or that shares common branding with another legal entity.

The Florida Information Protection Act of 2014 was passed to better protect Floridians' personal information by ensuring that businesses and government entities take reasonable measures to protect personal information and report data breaches to affected consumers.

Under Florida service of process rules, only an authorized officer (usually the county sheriff) or a competent, disinterested third party appointed by the court can serve as a process server in civil cases.

(1) Unless a different time is prescribed in a statute of Florida, a defendant must serve an answer within 20 days after service of original process and the initial pleading on the defendant, or not later than the date fixed in a notice by publication.

FDUTPA is a remedial statute designed to protect consumers.

For help with solving regulated utility issues, consumers can reach PSC Consumer Assistance at 1-800-342-3552, by e-mail at contact@psc.state.fl.us, or through the PSC Web site at www.FloridaPSC.com. Inquiries on services not regulated by the PSC and not footnoted should be initially forwarded to the service provider.