Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Shuts Down Unlicensed Telemarketing Firm in Tampa Bay Area, Issues $91,000 Penalty
Contact: Amanda Bevis
February 28, 2013
(850) 617-7737
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Shuts Down Unlicensed Telemarketing Firm in Tampa Bay Area, Issues $91,000 Penalty
Surprise Inspection Finds 88 Unlicensed Telemarketers
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that department investigators discovered 88 unlicensed salespersons working at an unlicensed telemarketing firm in Dunedin during a surprise inspection on Wednesday. The department issued an immediate Order to Cease and Desist to Consumer Sales Solutions, LLC, and warnings to the 48 unlicensed salespersons who were on the premises during the inspection. Consumer Sales Solutions, LLC, paid a $91,000 penalty.
Consumer Sales Solutions, LLC, had previously filed an exemption with the department; however upon inspection it was determined that the exemption did not apply to their business model. Florida State Statute 501.623 requires all businesses and individual salespersons engaging in telephone solicitation to hold licenses from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
This enforcement action is one of a series of actions against telemarketing individuals and entities in the Tampa Bay area this week. On Monday, the department arrested two individuals and issued an Administrative Complaint against Priority Funding Group, LLC, of Largo. On Tuesday, another individual was arrested and the department issued an Administrative Complaint against NRG Solutions of Clearwater. Collectively, the department has fined telemarketing firms in Tampa Bay more than $100,000 this week.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer assistance and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.
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