Commissioner Putnam Announces Suit Against Energy Audit Scammers
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Takes Action Against Companies Soliciting Fake Energy Audits
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has filed suit against Unlimited Energy Solutions, Inc., and nine individuals for violation of the Florida Telephone Solicitation Statute. The lawsuit was filed as a result of an investigation of numerous complaints received by the Department in regard to potentially illegal sales calls.
“The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is focused on protecting consumers from harmful and deceptive practices.” said Commissioner Putnam. “Floridians are not only agitated by, but have also fallen victim to, incessant sales calls offering goods and services under false pretenses, and we look forward to a positive ruling as our case against Unlimited Energy Solutions is heard in Seminole County Court.”
For the past year, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been working with investigators, private energy providers and local law enforcement agencies to investigate consumer complaints regarding incessant sales calls from individuals who claim to be affiliated with utility organizations.
According to the complaints the callers posed as employees or affiliates of Florida Power and Light in an attempt to sell goods or services. The salespersons then set up appointments for energy audits, and upon arrival, inspected the home and offered repair services or equipment that they claimed would reduce energy consumption and generate savings on utility bills.
Salespersons allegedly used automatic dialing machines programmed with prepaid cell phone numbers to disguise their identity, making it difficult to identify the callers. The investigation so far has linked the corporation and nine individuals to 62 consumer complaints received through the Department’s Consumer Services Division. Consumers who may have received a similar call may contact the Consumer Assistance Call Center, 1-800-HELP-FLA.
The suit was filed by the Department in Seminole County Court on Friday, April 28, and the defendants were being served today.
For more information about the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook, www.facebook.com/adamputnam, or Twitter, @adamputnam.
###
Contact: Sterling Ivey
May 2, 2011
(850) 617-7737
