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National Consumer Protection Week

Attorney General Bondi Warns of Common Scams in Recognition of National Consumer Protection Week

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Attorney General Pam Bondi is warning Floridians about common scams in recognition of 2018 National Consumer Protection Week. Scammers often target Florida because of its large senior population, military bases and millions of tourists. Tax scams and vacation rental scams are also common during this time of the year.

“My office will continue to work tirelessly to fight fraud and protect Floridians from consumer-related scams, and we need you to join us in this effort.” said Attorney General Bondi. “This National Consumer Protection Week I urge Floridians to learn how to spot scams and what to do if you are targeted.”

Some common types of scams reported in Florida include:
 
Tech Support: Fraudulent pop-up ads claiming a computer is infected with malware that can be eliminated by calling the tech support number on the ad. If a consumer calls the number, the scammer will try to take remote control of the computer and hold it for ransom. For more information, click here. 

IRS Tax Scams: Scammers will call impersonating an IRS official and threaten to arrest or take legal action against a consumer for back taxes, unless the victim immediately wires funds or provides a prepaid debit card number. For more information, click here. 

Illegal Robocalling: Pre-recorded messages pitching a product or seeking financial information. Often the number is spoofed, or changed using software, to appear to be from a reputable company or charity. For more information, click here. 

Vacation Rental Scams: Fake internet postings advertising a vacation rental property not owned by the scammer. The goal is to steal the tourist’s deposit by leading them to believe they have booked a hotel or vacation house. For more information, click here. 

Military Scams: Scammers will target military members, veterans and their families promising exclusive discounts or other deals related to military service, benefits or charity. In 2017, Attorney General Bondi created the Military and Veterans Assistance Program to identify and stop scams targeting the military. For more information, click here.

Floridians can report these scams or other fraudulent business practices to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling (866) 9NO-SCAM or filing a consumer complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com.

Since taking office in 2011, Attorney General Bondi’s Consumer Protection Division has recovered more than $10 billion for Floridians and consumers nationwide. Today, Attorney General Bondi will be reaching out directly to Floridians with Consumer Protection Tips on Twitter. To follow the Attorney General’s Twitter campaign visit Twitter.com/AGPamBondi.

PSC to Help Consumers in Leon County for National Consumer Protection Week

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be informing consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 20th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4–10, 2018.

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, PSC staff will speak with consumers in Leon County about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone/broadband discount program.

The PSC event is scheduled at the below time and place:

Thursday, March 8, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Woodville Senior Center
8000 Old Woodville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32305

For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit ncpw.gov.

PSC to Help Consumers in Hillsborough County for National Consumer Protection Week

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be informing consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 20th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4–10, 2018.

On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, PSC staff will be speaking with consumers in Hillsborough County about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone/broadband discount program.

Information on the PSC’s NCPW events is below:

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
11:15 a.m.
Tampa Housing Authority
J.L. Young Garden Apartments
Dining Room
8220 N. Florida Ave
Tampa, Florida 33604

***

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
12:30 p.m.
The Oaks at Riverview
101 East Kirby Street
Tampa, Florida 33604

For more NCPW information and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit ncpw.gov.

For additional information, visit floridapsc.com.

PSC Highlights National Consumer Protection Week

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Consumer protections are a priority at the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), and each spring the PSC reinforces this by celebrating National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). This year, during NCPW’s 20th anniversary, March 4-10, the PSC will help consumers avoid scams and fraud, conserve water and energy, and manage utility bills.

“The PSC has been protecting consumers for more than 130 years,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham.  “A week devoted to consumer protections is always a good thing, but I encourage consumers needing utility information or assistance to call the PSC at 800-342-3552 any time of the year!”

Here are three excellent ways the PSC keeps consumers informed year-round:

  • Awareness/Education

The PSC coordinates or participates in community events to promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and scam prevention education. Each month, we also plan events to promote Lifeline Assistance, a federal program designed to make telecommunications/broadband services more affordable for low-income households.

  • Free Resources

The PSC has many educational brochures to help consumers save energy, conserve water, avoid utility-related scams, and learn about Lifeline and other relevant topics. Brochures may be accessed and printed directly from the website, ordered free online, or requested by mail or phone (800-342-3552).  Consumers can also learn about docketed or emerging utility issues by visiting floridapsc.com.

  • Hearings, Meetings, and Workshops

Consumers can learn about the PSC and its proceedings by attending a hearing, meeting, or workshop in Tallahassee, or a customer hearing or meeting held throughout the state. Public customer meetings provide an inclusive process, allowing consumers to share their views with Commissioners. The PSC also live streams all Tallahassee meetings, as well as off-site meetings attended by two or more Commissioners.

During NCPW, the PSC will make presentations to consumers in Hillsborough, Washington, and Leon Counties. Presentation locations and times can be found on the PSC website, floridapsc.com.

For more information about NCPW, sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission and other partners, visit the official 2018 NCPW website.

PSC’s March Helping Hand is Hollywood’s Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center

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During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) earlier this month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) partnered with several agencies in Central and South Florida that primarily assist seniors. The PSC is pleased to recognize one of these–the Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center in Hollywood–as the PSC’s Helping Hand in March.
“With so many scams targeting seniors, NCPW is an opportunity to educate consumers on ways to protect against individuals posing as utility representatives,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We thank the Fred Lippman Center for helping us get the word out on potential scams and on ways to help seniors lower their utility bills.”
Each month, the PSC highlights a partner agency or organization whose clients are eligible for the federal Lifeline telephone discount program and/or need help reducing energy and water bills. Through these PSC Helping Hand partnerships, the Commission shares information to help consumers stretch their resources to meet their monthly bills.
“We welcome the PSC’s partnership and appreciate the assistance and education to help our clients, especially during NCPW,” said Marjorie Cooper, Manager, Fred Lipmann Multi-Purpose Center. “Information on Lifeline, scams, energy and water conservation, and utility bill payment assistance is always useful.”
You can find helpful consumer tips from PSC Commissioners for NCPW 2017 here.  Look for this year’s PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com, under Hot Topics.
About Fred Lipmann Multi-Purpose Center
The Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center, administered by the City of Hollywood’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, is located at 2030 Polk Street in Hollywood. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, the facility provides social, recreational, and educational activities, including field trips, for seniors.  For more information, call 954-921-3408, or visit:  http://www.adrcbroward.org/lippmancenter.php.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Chairman Julie Brown Highlights 2017 National Consumer Protection Week

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With social media reshaping how news is received, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is launching a Twitter campaign, #PSCCelebratesConsumersNCPW, for National Consumer Protection Week, March 5-11. Each day, the campaign will feature a consumer tip from PSC Commissioners and highlight the PSC’s educational activities.
“The National Consumer Protection Week is an important opportunity for the Florida PSC to provide education and awareness about utility services and avoiding potential scams,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We hope to provide valuable tips and information to ensure consumers receive safe and reliable utility service.”
During the 19th Annual NCPW, the PSC will make presentations to consumers in Winter Springs, Winter Park, Orlando, Hollywood, Miramar, and Hallandale Beach, showing them how to save money through energy and water conservation and how to sign up for the Lifeline Assistance telephone and broadband discount program, if they qualify. Presentation locations and times can be found on Twitter and on the PSC website, www.floridapsc.com.
Look for #PSCCelebratesConsumersNCPW on Twitter to see the Commissioner consumer tip videos, as well as pictures and news from each consumer visit. NCPW Commissioner consumer tips can also be found here.
For more information on NCPW, visit https://www.ncpw.gov/.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Helps Consumers in Hallandale Beach During National Consumer Protection Week

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Thursday, March 9, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Hallandale Beach about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:

Thursday, March 9, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Austin Hepburn Senior Center
1000 NW 8th Avenue
Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Commissioner Putnam Provides Tips to Consumers During National Consumer Protection Week

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National Consumer Protection Week is March 5-11, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is offering tips to help Florida residents and visitors protect themselves from scams. National Consumer Protection Week is a nationwide effort to educate consumers about their rights and how to make well-informed decisions. Last year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received more than 38,000 consumer complaints and recovered more than $3 million for Florida consumers.
“An educated consumer is the cornerstone of protection against scams, and I encourage Floridians to take advantage of the many resources we offer,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The department provides many tools to consumers, including the following:

  • The department is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to assist consumers with gathering information about businesses, charities or other organizations. The department can also help consumers file a complaint if they feel they have been taken advantage of. Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
  • The department’s website also has a Live Chat function available to assist consumers with information and complaints. Click “Live Chat” from the department’s home page at FreshFromFlorida.com.
  • The Little Black Book of Scams provides tips on avoiding charity scams, identity theft, tax scams, foreign lotteries and more.
  • Before contributing to charities, consumers should utilize the Check-A-Charity tool. This helps consumers see how their donation will be used.
  • Consumers who receive unwanted sales calls at home should sign up for the state’s Do Not Call list here. It’s free to sign-up and only takes a minute.
  • Consumers can use the A-Z Resource Guide to see which office, agency or division has oversight on certain issues.
  • The A-Z Resource Guide directs consumers to the most appropriate agency for assistance with a wide variety of topics.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency. Consumers can get tips or file a complaint at FreshFromFlorida.com.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).

PSC Helps Consumers in Miramar and Hollywood During National Consumer Protection Week

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Miramar and Hollywood about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center
2030 Polk Street
Hollywood,  Florida 33020

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Miramar Senior Center
6700 Miramar Parkway
Miramar, Florida 33023

And

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 – 1 p.m.
Sunset Lakes Senior Center
2801 SW 186th Avenue
Miramar, Florida 33029

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Helps Consumers in Winter Park and Orlando During National Consumer Protection Week

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Winter Park and Orlando about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Winter Park Community Center
721 W. New England Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789

And 

Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 – 1 p.m.
Renaissance Senior Center at South Econlockhatchee Trail
3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, Florida 32829

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.