 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Subject/Topic |
Contact Name & Number |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
AARP |
||
|
888-687-2277 |
The Consumer Protection Unit is charged by AARP to examine consumer issues that impact the financial security of people 50 years of age and older. |
|
Abandoned Property |
||
|
Florida Department of Financial Services 850-413-5555 or 888-258-2253 |
Unclaimed Property - Call toll-free to see if the State of Florida is holding money in your name. |
Abortion Clinics |
||
|
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 850-487-2717 |
|
Abuse Prevention / Intervention |
||
| --Children / Elderly | Florida Department of Children and Families 800-962-2873 Business Office 850-487-4332 |
|
--Domestic Violence |
Florida has 41 certified domestic violence centers serving all 67 counties. Because not all Florida cities served by domestic violence centers are listed below, you may also wish to try searching for your county to locate the domestic violence center that serves your area. To access the nearest domestic violence center by telephone, just dial 1-800-500-1119 and you will be connected to the domestic violence center nearest to you. |
|
--Parent Helpline |
800-352-5683 Business Line 850-488-5437 |
The Family Source of Florida is a statewide network of child abuse prevention and family-support agencies. |
Accountants |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 850-487-1395 |
This number is for the State Board of Accountancy located in Gainesville, Florida. |
Acid Rain |
|
United States Environmental Protection Agency 202-343-9620 |
The Acid Rain Hotline records questions and document requests covering all areas of the Acid Rain Program. |
ACLU |
||
| --National | American Civil Liberties Union | The ACLU was founded by Roger Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, Albert DeSilver and others in 1920. They are nonprofit and nonpartisan and have grown from a roomful of civil liberties activists to an organization of more than 400,000 members and supporters. |
| --Florida Headquarters | American Civil Liberties Union of Florida 786-363-2700 |
Local chapters can be located through this site. |
Acupuncture |
||
|
850-245-4161 |
State of Florida Board Office for Osteopathic Medicine, Speech Language Pathology, Acupuncture, Mid-Wifery, Massage Therapy and Audiology. |
Acquisition and Restoration |
||
|
Florida Department of Environmental Protection 850-245-2784 |
Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) |
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) |
||
--Florida |
Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group 850-487-3423 |
The mission of the ADA Working Group will be to provide information, referrals, education and recommendations for compliance and implementation of the ADA and other disability rights laws in order to increase the independence and quality of life for citizens of Florida with disabilities. |
| --Federal |
800-514-0301 |
This service permits businesses, state and local governments, or others to ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements including questions about the ADA standards. |
Addiction Professionals |
||
--Florida |
850-222-6314 |
Drug Abuse Certification Board |
| --National |
800-548-0497 |
The National Association for Addiction Professionals |
Adoption |
||
|
Florida Department of Children and Families 800-962-3678 |
|
--Reunion |
Florida Department of Children and Families 850-488-8000 |
Florida Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR) was established in 1982 by the Florida Legislature for people affected by adoption in Florida to have the opportunity to reunite. |
--Information |
Adoption Information Center 800-962-3678 |
|
--Out of State |
Florida Department of Children and Families 904-353-0679 |
F.S. 409 |
Adult Services |
||
--Adult Day Care Center (ADCC) |
Agency for Health Care Administration 850-487-2515 888-419-3456 - Complaints |
|
--Assisted Living Facilities |
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 888-419-3456 or 850-487-2515 |
Bureau of Long Term Care Services |
--Assisted Living Facilities Complaints |
Florida Department of Elder Affairs 888-831-0404 |
The Long -Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) takes complaints from or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and advocate on their behalf - at no charge. |
--Adult Family Care Home (AFCH) |
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 850-487-2515 |
Also known as: Adult Day Care |
--Disabled |
|
|
--Adult Protective Services |
Florida Department of Children and Families 850-488-2881 |
F.S. 415 |
--Elder Help Line |
Florida Department of Elder Affairs 850-414-2000 |
Search list by county |
--In-Home Services |
F.S. 400 |
Advance Fee Loans |
--Licensing |
Office of Financial Regulation 850-410-9895 |
Chapter 687, F.S., no loan broker shall assess or collect an advance fee from a borrower to provide services as a loan broker. |
--Information and Consumer Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
|
--Complaints |
Office of Financial Regulation 800-848-3792 or 850-410-9805 |
687.141, F.S. |
Ad Valorem Tax |
||
|
800-352-3671 or 850-488-6800 |
|
Advertising |
||
--General Complaint |
877-382-4357 |
Complaint Form |
--Misleading Advertisement Prohibited (Bait and Switch) |
866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
If a retailer advertises products for sale that are unavailable for the purpose of luring you into the store, or if the salesperson is critical of the advertised product, so that he or she can try to sell you more expensive merchandise, then the store may be engaging in illegal "bait and switch" advertising. |
--Billboard Placement |
Office of Right of Way |
|
--Economic Crimes Fraud |
|
|
--Sales Tax |
800-352-3671 |
|
AFSCME |
||
|
American Federation of State, County and Municipalities Union 850-222-0842 |
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, is the nation's largest and fastest growing public service employees union, with more than 1.4 million members. AFSCME organizes for social and economic justice in the workplace and through political action and legislative advocacy. |
Agency for Health Care Administration |
||
--Consumer Hotline |
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 888-419-3456 |
Can Call this number to: file a complaint against a facility, a Practitioner, or HMO; check a doctor's license, and/or disciplinary history; report Medicaid abuse; request an agency publication. |
Agriculture (Ag) in the Classroom |
||
|
Division of Marketing and Development |
|
Agricultural Inspection Stations |
||
|
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-342-5869 or 850-245-1300 |
The Bureau of Agricultural Law Enforcement conducts many tasks in addition to the traditional core mission of protecting Florida agriculture in addition to performing domestic security operations. |
Agriculture Rural Development |
||
--Housing for farm workers |
U.S. Department of Agriculture 800-414-1226 |
|
AIDS/HIV Hotline |
||
--Florida 24-Hour Hotline |
Florida Alliance of Information and Referral Services (FLAIRS) **Please select county** |
Provides 24-hour HIV/AIDS counseling, information and referrals. |
--National |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 800-342-2437 English |
|
Air Bags |
||
|
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Air Bags 888-327-4236 |
|
Air Conditioning Contractor |
||
|
Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
|
Air Pollution |
||
|
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 850-488-0114 |
Division of Air Resource Management. The DEP has districts and local air programs to handle air pollution inquiries. |
Airline Complaints |
||
--Complaints |
202-366-2220 |
Each consumer complaint received is recorded against the appropriate airline and published in the U.S. DOT's monthly "Air Travel Consumer Report" which serves as a basis for FAA rulemaking and enforcement action. |
--Hotline |
Federal Aviation Administration 800-255-1111 |
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has an aviation safety toll-free hotline for reporting possible violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations or other aviation safety issues such as improper record keeping, non-adherence to procedures, unsafe aviation practices, etc. |
--General Information |
Federal Aviation Administration 800-322-7873 |
This toll-free number is for questions/concerns regarding FAA-monitored consumer issues, as well as current events in the aviation industry. The number is in operation from 8 am to 4 pm ET, Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. |
Airline Ticket Sales |
|
703-816-8000 |
|
Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC exempt) |
||
|
703-816-8000 |
Call for additional information on companies that are ARC exempt from registering as sellers of travel. |
Airports (Florida) |
||
|
Florida Department of Transportation 850-414-4500 |
Aviation Office |
Alarm Contractors |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
|
Alcoholic Beverages |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
|
Alien Certification |
||
|
Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation 850-921-3299 |
|
Alligators |
||
--Information |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-488-0163 |
Division of Marketing and Development |
--Farming and Hunting |
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 850-488-3831 |
Division of Wildlife |
| --Permits | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 850-488-3641 |
|
Alzheimer's Disease |
||
|
800-272-3900 |
|
Johnnie B, Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute 813-866-1600 or 866-700-7773 |
The mission of the Byrd Alzheimer's Research Center is to collaborate with researchers throughout the State of Florida and the wider global research community to develop treatment to cure and prevent this disease. |
|
| Ambulance | ||
|
850-245-4440 |
The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services is responsible for the statewide regulation of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics; EMT and paramedic training programs; and ambulance services and their vehicles, including air ambulances. | |
Ambulatory Surgical Centers |
||
|
Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration 850-487-2717 |
|
American Dietetic Association |
||
|
800-877-1600 |
The American Dietetic Association is your link to reliable, objective food and nutrition information. |
| American Red Cross | ||
|
800-435-7669 - English Line |
||
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) |
||
--ADA Information Line |
US Department of Justice - ADA 800-514-0301 |
This service permits businesses, state and local governments, or others to ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements including questions about the ADA Standards for Design. |
Amusement Rides |
||
--Carnivals and Fairs |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-488-9790 |
Division of Standards |
Animals |
||
--Moving In/Out of the Country |
352-333-3120 |
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services |
--Moving In/Out of the State |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-410-0900 |
Division of Animal Industry |
--Complaints |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-410-0900 |
F.S.585 |
--Cruelty to Animals |
Local Humane Society or Law Enforcement |
F.S. 828.27 |
--Pet Food Licensing |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-487-3863 |
Division of Agricultural Environmental Services / Bureau of Feed, Seed and Fertilizer |
--Pet Lemon Law |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-410-0900 |
Division of Animal Industry Animal Industry: |
--Exotic Animal Licensing |
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 850-488-6253 |
This number is to get a license to be able to own/exhibit exotic pets, such as reptiles, panthers, etc. |
| --Dog Kennels (information and Complaints) | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-435-7352 or 850-410-0900 |
The Division of Animal Industries will be able to answer questions about kennel's rules and regulations. |
Anti-Spam |
||
|
Florida Office of the Attorney General 850-414-3990 |
Spam is a popular term for unsolicited commercial electronic mail. Not all spam is illegal. Florida's law prohibits fraudulent, false or deceptive spam. Unlawful spam is a daunting problem, but through coordinated efforts of federal and state law enforcement, Internet Service Providers and concerned citizens, we are working to address the spam invasion. |
Antitrust |
||
|
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
Antitrust Section |
|
United States Department of Justice 888-647-3258 |
Report suspected antitrust violations. |
Apartment Houses |
||
--5+ Units Adjoining |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Division of Hotels and Restaurants |
--Under 5 units |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-435-7352 or 850-488-2221 |
Division of Consumer Services |
Appliances |
||
|
There is no law governing repairs. Consumer's protection is mostly limited to coverage in the manufacturer's warranty. |
|
|
Major Appliance Consumer Action Panel |
To file a complaint write to: |
Aquaculture |
||
|
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-488-4033 |
Division of Aquaculture - fish farming, shell fish, etc. |
Architecture |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Board of Architecture and Interior Design |
Armed Guards |
||
|
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-245-5691 |
Bureau of License and Inquiry |
Armory |
||
|
Florida Department of Military Affairs 904-823-0364 |
|
Arson |
||
|
Florida Department of Financial Services 850-413-3173 |
State Fire Marshall's Office |
|
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 850-922-5155 |
Division on Forestry |
Art Fraud |
||
--Consumer Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
|
Artificial Reefs |
||
|
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 850-487-0554 |
|
Asbestos |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Asbestos Licensing Unit - Consultants and Contractors |
| ASE Certification | ||
National Institute for Automotive Services Excellence 877-273-8324 |
ASE's mission is to improve the quality of automotive repair and service through the voluntary testing and certification of service professionals. Approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE credentials. |
|
ASPCA |
||
|
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 212-876-7700 |
The ASPCA offers national programs in humane education, public awareness, government advocacy, shelter support, animal medical services and placement. |
Assisted Living Facilities |
||
--Complaints |
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 888-419-3456 or 850-487-2515 |
Bureau of Long Term Care Services |
|
Florida Department of Elder Affairs 888-831-0404 |
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) takes complaints from or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and advocate on their behalf - at no charge. |
Assistive Technology |
||
|
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration 850-414-6010 |
Wheelchairs/Braille Writers, etc. |
Astrologer |
||
|
No state regulations, city or county occupational license needed. |
|
Athletic Agents |
||
|
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Office of Talent Agencies and Athlete Agents |
Attorneys |
||
--Licensing |
850-487-1292 |
Licensing Requirements |
--Attorney Referral Service |
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service 800-342-8011 |
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), 800-342-8011 or 800-342-8060 extension 5844, provides referrals to attorneys who will conduct an initial one-half hour office consultation for $25. |
| --Board Certified Referral Service |
850-561-5600 |
Board certification recognizes attorneys' special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. |
--Tallahassee Bar Association |
Attorney Referral Service 850-681-0601 |
Serves Tallahassee Area (Referral Service) |
--Bar Examiners |
Florida Board of Bar Examiners 850-487-1292 |
|
--Grievance (ACAP) |
Florida Bar Attorney Consumer Assistance Program 866-352-0707 |
Where consumers call when they have complaints or need assistance with an attorney (9am - 5pm EST). |
Attorney General |
||
|
Florida Attorney General (Tallahassee, FL) 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
|
--Regional Offices
|
Orlando, FL |
|
Tampa, FL |
|
|
Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
|
|
Miami, FL |
|
|
Auctioneers |
||
--Licensing |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Division of Professions - Board of Auctioneers |
--Complaints |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
Auctions of Livestock are exempt from F.S. 486.381 when conducted by an auctioneer who specializes in the sale of livestock trade association or a governmental agency. |
--Sale by Auction |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations 850-487-1395 |
|
--Auction of Boats |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
F.S. 328.17 |
--Auction of Abandoned Property |
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395 |
|
--Auctions |
Contact your local tax collector. |
|
Audiology |
||
|
850-488-0595 |
Board of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology |
Auto Advertisements |
||
--Consumer Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 850-414-3990 |
To entice consumers, many new car dealers typically advertise special promotions. These may include high trade-in allowances, free or low-cost options, dealer's invoice prices, free prizes, unusually low interest rates, no-payment grace periods and other "specials." |
Auto Dealers |
||
|
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 850-617-2000 |
Car Dealers, R.V. Dealers, Mobile Home Dealers |
--Regional Offices and Complaints
|
Region 1 954-797-8436 |
Plantation, FL - Serving Broward County |
Region 2 352-732-1267 |
Ocala, FL - Serving Gilchrist - Hamilton - Suwannee - Lafayette - Dixie - Lake - Putnam - Levy - Alachua - Marion - Columbia Counties |
|
386-329-3743 |
Palatka, FL - (Sub Office) |
|
386-758-0570 |
Lake City, FL - (Sub Office) |
|
Region 3 904-225-9117 |
Jacksonville, FL - Serving Nassau - Duval - St. Johns - Union - Bradford - Clay - Baker Counties |
|
Region 4 904-225-9117 |
Deland, FL - Serving Flagler - Brevard - Volusia Counties |
|
321-383-2747 |
Titusville, FL - (Sub Office) |
|
Region 5 407-445-7400 |
Winter Park, FL - Serving Seminole - Orange - Osceola Counties |
|
Region 6 813-740-4288 |
Tampa, FL - Serving Hillsborough - Polk - Pinellas - Citrus - Sumter - Pasco - Hernando Counties |
|
863-499-2315 |
Lakeland, FL- (Sub Office) |
|
Region 7 850-617-2999 |
Tallahassee, FL - Serving Washington - Okaloosa - Liberty - Franklin - Santa Rosa - Holmes - Walton - Jackson - Jefferson - Gulf - Bay - Escambia - Leon - Gadsden - Wakulla - Calhoun - Taylor - Madison Counties |
|
Region 8 941-723-4551 |
Palmetto, FL - Serving Manatee - Sarasota - Charlotte - Highlands - Hendry - Desoto - Hardee - Lee - Collier - Glades Counties |
|
Region 9 561-640-6826 |
West Palm Beach, FL - Serving Okeechobee - Indian River - Palm Beach - Martin - St. Lucie Counties |
|
Region 10 305-222-4164 |
Miami, FL - Serving Dade - Monroe Counties |
|
Auto Financing / Loans |
||
--Consumer Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
|
| --Licensing | Office of Financial Regulation 850-410-9895 |
Chapter 520, Part I, F.S., covers the licensing and operating regulations of motor vehicle installment sellers. Maximum finance charges allowed on new and used automobiles are also established by statute. Motor Vehicle Sellers must be licensed by the Office prior to conducting business. |
| --Title Loans | Office of Financial Regulation 800-848-3792 or 850-410-9805 |
Chapter 537, F.S. |
| --Complaints | Office of Financial Regulation 800-848-3792 or 850-410-9805 |
|
Auto Insurance Fraud |
||
|
Florida Department of Financial Services 800-378-0445 |
The Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud, investigates various forms of fraud in insurance, including health, life, auto, property and workers' compensation insurance. |
Auto Leasing |
||
|
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-435-7352 or 850-488-2221 |
|
Auto (New) |
||
--Consumer Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
Next to a home, a new car purchase is the largest financial transaction for most consumers. Yet, shopping for the best deal at an automobile dealership has historically been a mysterious, painful and often regrettably expensive experience for many consumers. |
--Lemon Law |
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-321-5366 |
The dealer is required to provide you with a booklet published by the Attorney General's Office, which explains your rights under Florida's Lemon Law. Read this carefully, especially if you begin to experience chronic warranty problems with your new vehicle. |
Auto (Used) |
||
| --Tips | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 800-435-7352 or 850-488-2221 |
En Español |
--Tips |
Florida Office of the Attorney General 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990 |
A majority of Floridians seeking to acquire a vehicle will purchase a used car as opposed to a new one. But the dream of saving substantial cash and driving away in your beautiful "cream-puff" can quickly become a nightmare of breakdowns and expensive repairs. |
| --Hurricane Damaged Vehicles | National Insurance Crime Bureau | The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has compiled a database of vehicles and watercraft affected by the 2005 Hurricanes: Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The information in this database was gathered from a number of sources, including insurance companies, salvage yards and state and local authorities. |
| Auto Recalls | ||
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 888-327-4236 |
The recall information provided includes vehicle and equipment campaigns from 1966 to present. The campaigns include motor vehicle products which experienced a safety-related defect or did not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. |
|
Auto Registration |
||
| Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles | Contact listing for county offices. | |
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
