2011 Press Releases - Consumer Services
Press Archives:
2011 Quick Links:
Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
Commissioner's Spotlight on Charitable Solicitations (12/12/11) - Commissioner’s Spotlight includes some tips on making charitable donations and finding information about how charities spend donated money. To perform an online search to see if a particular group is properly registered as a charity and to see their reported financial information; or to download a complete listing of all registered charities with their financial information, click on Gift Giver’s Guide. 
Radio Segment (11/07/11) - The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state's clearinghouse for consumer complaints and information.
Radio Segment (8/29/11) - The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's top ten complaint listings.
Radio Segment (7/04/11) - Fuel effeciency tips for better gas mileage and cost-savings.
Do Not Call List and Telemarketing Top the List of Consumer Complaints (6/01/11) - On the heels of the Florida’s 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released today the top 10 consumer complaints filed during the last 12 months. The Department received 45,536 complaints in the last year, a 21 percent rise over the previous fiscal year.
Use Caution When Considering Changes to Existing Pest Control Services (6/13/11) - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a warning today to homeowners to use caution before signing over termite protection contracts and offered simple steps to avoid inadequate protection when considering service providers.
Putnam Announces Suit Against Energy Audit Scammers (5/02/11) - Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has filed suit against Unlimited Energy Solutions, Inc., and nine individuals for violation of the Florida Telephone Solicitation Statute. The lawsuit was filed as a result of an investigation of numerous complaints received by the Department in regard to potentially illegal sales calls.
One Year Since Gulf Oil Spill, Testing Shows Florida's Gulf Seafood is Safe to Eat(4/18/11) - In the one year since Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has collected and tested 230 seafood samples and results show that Florida Gulf seafood is safe to eat, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam told reporters today.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Warns Residents About Termite Season (4/05/11) - Warmer temperatures are not only a hint of Spring, but also a sign of termite swarming season. Swarming occurs when large numbers of termites leave their colonies to search for new nesting sites. In an effort to help consumers avoid termites, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services urges residents to take five simple steps to protect their home.
Commissioner Putnam Cracks Down on Telemarketing Scams (3/8/11) - Commissioner Adam Putnam continued his crackdown against unlicensed telemarketers last week, shutting down firms in several southwest Florida counties. Investigators from the Department's Division of Consumer Services, in partnership with the Department's Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, conducted inspections in Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Investigators issued cease and desist orders to 12 businesses and 170 salespeople. In addition to the unlicensed telemarketing activity, investigators found violations ranging from operating at an undisclosed location to using telephone sales scripts that had not been submitted to the Department for review. In total, 19 businesses were inspected and more than 200 violations of the Florida Telemarketing Act were cited resulting in $108,000.00 in fines against offending businesses. Further investigations are pending.
Paxon SAS Seniors Win LifeSmarts Competition At Florida State Fair (2/22/11) - Florida State Fairgrounds, the Paxon SAS Seniors were named winners of the 2011 Florida LifeSmarts Competition. The high school team from Jacksonville beat nine other teams who had qualified online to participate in the game-show style challenge open to students, grades nine through 12.
Top Five Ways to Avoid Bed Bugs (2/02/11) - In light of the 2nd National Bed Bugs Summit hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. this week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a list of five simple steps for consumers to follow to avoid bed bugs.
Adam Putnam Sworn In As Florida's Eleventh Commissioner Of Agriculture (01/04/11) - Today, at a ceremony held at Florida’s Old Capitol, Adam Putnam was sworn in as Florida’s eleventh Commissioner of Agriculture. The ceremony also featured the swearing in of Rick Scott as Governor, Jennifer Carroll as Lieutenant Governor, Pam Bondi as Attorney General and Jeff Atwater as Chief Financial Officer.
