2006 Press Releases - Consumer Services
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December 28, 2006 - Bronson has announced that violations of the state’s “Do Not Call” program once again are at the top 10 list of complaints in 2006. Learn more...
Decmeber 27, 2006 - Bronson has activated the Department’s price gouging hotline and is urging residents in storm impacted areas to report any instances of price gouging. Learn more...
December 8, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a Central Florida roofing company for violating Florida’s “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
December 8, 2006 - Bronson is reminding Florida residents to check out health clubs before signing any contracts or all they may end up losing is money. Learn more...
November 22, 2006 - Bronson is warning consumers about the threat of identity theft during the holiday shopping season. He is urging people to protect their personal information in order to reduce chances of having their identity stolen. Learn more...
November 14, 2006 - Bronson today announced the arrest of a Pinellas County man for running an unregistered telemarketing operation. Learn more...
November 9, 2006 - Bronson is reminding people to check out charities before donating as the holiday season approaches. Consumers should take time to investigate how a charity spends its money so they know their donations are being spent prudently. Learn more...
October 17, 2006 - Bronson today announced the arrest of a St. Petersburg auto shop operator in the theft of auto parts and cash he refused to refund for work not completed. Learn more...
September 26, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a South Florida telemarketer for violating Florida’s “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
September 25, 2006 - Bronson has announced the first phase of the annual LifeSmarts program is now underway in Florida. The online competition will culminate in a battle for the state championship at the state fair in Tampa on February 19, 2007. Learn more...
August 28, 2006 - Bronson today urged state residents to report any instances of price gouging to his department in the wake of approaching Tropical Storm Ernesto. Learn more... - (more information about price gouging )
August 24, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a Tampa Bay area telemarketer for violating Florida’s “Do Not Call” law. Learn more..
August 2, 2006 - Bronson is urging students, their parents and others who may be renting apartments or houses at the end of the summer to review their rights and responsibilities as tenants. Learn more...
July 7, 2006 - Bronson announced today the arrest of a formerly married couple who allegedly collected more than $193,000 from 23 investors for candy vending machines and delivered nothing in return. Learn more...
July 7, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a Southern California telemarketer for violating Florida’s “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
June 16, 2006 - Bronson has won a $2.2 million dollar judgment and a civil fine of nearly $1 million dollars against Global Resources, Inc., a now defunct business opportunity seller. The Department also took action against the owner, Stewart Pope of Pinellas County. Learn more...
June 15, 2006 - Bronson announced today the arrest of two South Florida men who are accused of bilking 36 victims out of $761,000 in a pool construction scam. Learn more...
June 12, 2006 - Bronson announced today that his department has activated its price-gouging hotline for the approaching Tropical Storm Alberto. Learn more...
June 12, 2006 - Bronson is announcing that Governor Jeb Bush has signed into law legislation that prohibits commercial telemarketers from using a new technology that disguises their identity. Learn more... - (Consumer E-Newsletter: ID Spoofing)
June 9, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a Volusia County telemarketer for violating Florida’s “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
June 1, 2006 - Now that school is out in Florida, the prime season for moving has begun, and a little care can go a long way in making a move go smoothly, according to Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson. Learn more...
May 18, 2006 - Bronson is announcing the resolution of a lawsuit against a Jackson County, Florida hotel owner in a price gouging case filed last summer. Learn more...
May 17, 2006 - Bronson has begun notifying the moving industry about changes to the Florida Intrastate Moving Law passed during the 2006 legislative session. The law now requires moving brokers and many self-contained storage unit providers -- commonly referred to as “pods” -- to register with the Department just as intrastate moving companies are currently required to do. Learn more...
May 09, 2006 - Bronson has ordered the activation of the Department's price gouging hotline to assist consumers who may face problems resulting from the wildfires. The price gouging law was activated after Governor Jeb Bush issued an emergency declaration due to the wildfires and the ongoing wildfire threat statewide. Learn more...
April 12 , 2006 - Bronson announced today that his department has received a record $112,500 judgement against a Florida company for calling consumers on the state's “Do Not Call” list. Learn more...
March 30, 2006 - Bronson today alerted consumers to a growing identity theft scam in which con artists posing as courthouse workers claim that the person being called has failed to report for jury duty. Learn more...
March 27, 2006 - The State Attorney's Office of the 20th Circuit has worked in collaboration with the Florida Department of Agriculture adn Consumer Services, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and the Cape Coral Police Department to successfully investigate and bring formal charges against multiple individuals regarding a lengthy investigation of fraudulent money practices and racketeering stretching over a two-year span. Learn more...
March 16, 2006 - Bronson announced today that investigators from his department will conduct a countywide sweep of auto repair shops in Pasco County next week to make sure that shops are registered with the state and complying with regulations governing estimates and invoices for repair work. Learn more...
March 3, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he is proposing legislation that would outlaw commercial telemarketers from using new technology that disguises their identity. Learn more...
March 3, 2006 - Bronson announced today that Workforce Florida Inc. will work with his department to connect employers to worker training funds for auto repair shops, one of the many businesses that the department regulates. Learn more...
February 21, 2006 - A four-member team of high school students from Marathon, Florida, won the State LifeSmarts Championship held yesterday at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Learn more... - (visit the LifeSmarts' webpage)
February 16, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against two telemarketers for violating Florida's “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
February 16, 2006 - Bronson announced today that investigators from his department will conduct a countywide sweep of auto repair shops in Pinellas County next week to make sure that shops are registered with the state and complying with regulations governing estimates and invoices for repair work. Learn more...
February 9, 2006 - High school students from around the state will compete for the state championship of “LifeSmarts ... the Ultimate Consumer Challenge,” on February 20 at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Learn more... - (visit the LifeSmarts' webpage)
January 31, 2006 - Bronson is joining consumer protection officials nationwide in calling on people to educate themselves about consumer fraud as the best way to combat the growing problem. For more information visit our 2006 Consumer Protection Week webpage.
January 27, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he has taken legal action against a Sarasota County telemarketer for violating Florida's “Do Not Call” law. Learn more...
January 21, 2006 - Bronson announced today that he is seeking or has collected fines totaling $46,000 against nine service stations for alleged price gouging in connection with the four hurricanes last year. Learn more...
View all of the Department's 2006 Press Releases
