2002 Press Releases - Consumer Services

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December 27, 2002 - If your list of New Year's resolutions includes a vow to shed those pounds gained over the holidays, you may be considering joining a health club. Learn more...

December 23, 2002 - Bronson is taking administrative action against six moving companies for failure to comply with the state's new Movers Regulation Act. Learn more...

December 17, 2002 - Bronson is warning consumers about the threat of identity theft over the holiday buying season. Learn more...

December 11, 2002 - Bronson today urged consumers to use caution in making sure that they are not overcharged for purchases during the holiday season. Learn more...

December 3, 2002 - As the holiday season approaches, Floridians can expect an increase in the level of fund raising by charitable organizations. Learn more...

November 25, 2002 - Bronson is encouraging consumers to shop wisely, know your rights and keep track of your purchases. Learn more...

November 18, 2002 - Bronson today called on state residents to donate food and money to community-based charities which have been hard hit by the economic downturn. Learn more...

October 31, 2002 - Bronson today announced that his office has obtained refunds totaling nearly $13,000 for 13 senior citizens who claim they were pressured into purchasing expensive vacuum-cleaning systems by a Kissimmee company. Learn more...

October 18, 2002 - Bronson announced today that he has authorized Pinellas County to investigate, prosecute and collect fines against intrastate moving companies that defraud or mistreat consumers. Learn more...

October 15, 2002 - Bronson announced today the arrest of a Tampa man for allegedly masquerading as a representative of Angel Flights Southeast and collecting at least $176,000 from members of the public. Learn more...

October 7, 2002 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against nine Florida companies for making calls to consumers on the state's "Do Not Call" list. Learn more...

October 3, 2002 - Bronson today announced the arrest of a South Florida man who allegedly duped at least 36 consumers, including 33 senior citizens, out of $162,000. Learn more...

September 26, 2002 - Bronson today urged consumers to avoid being ripped off in an ongoing scam in which a caller claiming to represent the state asks if you want to join Florida's "Do Not Call" list. Learn more...

September 6, 2002 - Bronson announced today the arrest of a Sarasota woman in a telemarketing credit repair scam. Learn more...

August 7, 2002 - Bronson announced today that his office has executed search warrants at two Central Florida locations in connection with an alleged swindle of consumers in a credit card scam. Learn more...

August 2, 2002 - August 4-10 has been designated National Fraud Awareness Week by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Learn more...

August 2, 2002 - Bronson today announced that about 200 intrastate moving companies have registered or applied for registration with his office under a new law giving Bronson's department regulatory oversight of the industry. Learn more...

July 30, 2002 - Bronson today took emergency action to shut down three South Florida companies that allegedly duped more than 100 consumers, including numerous senior citizens, out of $338,000. Learn more...

July 1, 2002 - Bronson today took legal action against a Texas company for falsely claiming that a machine that plays recorded messages during telemarketing calls is legal in Florida and proceeding to sell its devices to numerous businesses and individuals in the state. Learn more...

June 21, 2002 - Bronson announced today the arrest of a Defuniak Springs auto repair shop owner on a grand theft charge involving the alleged falsifying of a repair he performed on a collision-damaged car. Learn more...

June 20, 2002 - Bronson today announced he has taken action against more than a dozen Florida companies for violations of the state's business opportunity law. Learn more...

June 12, 2002 - Bronson announced today that he is taking action against The Dance Place, Inc., for numerous violations of the Dance Studio Act and the Florida Sellers of Travel Act. Learn more...

June 6, 2002 - Bronson announced today that he is seeking $25,000 from nine gasoline terminals around the state for alleged price gouging in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Learn more...

May 31, 2002 - Bronson has issued a "stop sale" order for 408 cases of a candy product in an Opa Locka warehouse that poses a choking hazard, especially in young children. Learn more...

May 7, 2002 - A five-member team of high school students from the Sanford Seminole 4-H Club placed fourth in the National LifeSmarts competition held recently in Washington, D.C. Learn more...

May 2, 2002 - Bronson today urged consumers to avoid a scam sweeping the nation in which a caller identifying himself as a representative of Firestone tells consumers they are eligible for a refund under a tire recall, and then asks for personal information. Learn more...

April 25, 2002 - Bronson today took legal action against an Atlanta-based charity for allegedly inflating the worth of donated toys and other goods it provided to 21 Florida organizations that care for seriously-ill children. Learn more...

April 11, 2002 - Bronson announced today he is taking legal action against a Broward County company for taking more than $9,300 from an Ocala senior citizens' group for a trip last spring and failing to provide any travel accommodations or refunds to the 23 members of the group. Learn more...

March 20, 2002 - Bronson today issued subpoenas and administrative actions against two Florida dance studios in an investigation triggered by allegations that the owner of the businesses collected $257,000 from a Palm Harbor widow for dance lessons. Learn more...

March 5, 2002 - A five-member team of high school students from the Seminole County 4-H Club in Sanford won the sixth annual LifeSmarts competition held at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Learn more...

February 6, 2002 - High school students from around the state will compete for the state championship of "LifeSmarts ... the Ultimate Consumer Challenge," on February 18 at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Learn more...

January 31, 2002 - Consumers continue to fight back against unwanted telemarketing calls using the state's No Sales Solicitation list. Learn more...

View all of the Department's 2002 Press Releases

Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - LuAnn Stiles, Director

2002 Press Releases - Consumer Services