2012 Press Releases - Consumer Services
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Do Not Call and Sellers of Travel Top List of Consumer Complaints for November 2012 (12/07/2012) - Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today the top three calls received in November through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 1-800-HELP-FLA consumer hotline: Solicitation of Contributions, Motor Vehicle Repair and Landlord/Tenant. In total, more than 12,200 complaints were filed by consumers in November and the department received 21,284 calls and 606 emails for consumer assistance and information.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Urges Floridians To Be Careful With Outdoor Fire (12/04/2012) - lorida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service are encouraging Floridians to be cautious with outdoor fire while enjoying time with friends and family this holiday season. Over the summer months, Florida experienced above-normal amounts of precipitation; however, a recent decline in rainfall has increased drought conditions.
Commissioner's Spotlight (12/03/12) - On this week’s Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight, Liz Compton, Chief of Compliance with the Consumer Services Division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, talks about charitable giving. All charities soliciting within the state of Florida (excluding religious, educational and governmental entities) are required to register and file financial information with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Offers Five Tips for Charitable Giving (11/30/12) - During the holidays, we are often asked to make a contribution or donation to a charity. Many people who give want to make a difference in someone's life, but may find it hard to choose which organizations are going to benefit the most from our gift. According to Charity Navigator’s Holiday Giving Guide, charities receive about 41 percent of their annual contributions between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
Five Safety Tips for Decorating During the Holidays (11/30/2012) - As Floridians begin to decorate their homes and businesses for the holidays, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service released a list of five tips today to help Floridians prevent fire hazards.
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam Recognizes National School Lunch Week (10/15/2012) - Each year, more than 1.6 million school lunches are served throughout Florida via the National School Lunch Program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness. In recognition of the positive changes Florida has made to its school lunch program, school districts from across the state will celebrate National School Lunch Week from October 15th-19th.
Do Not Call and Communications Top List of Consumer Complaints for August 2012 (9/11/2012) - Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today the top three calls received in August through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 1-800- HELP-FLA consumer hotline: Do Not Call, Solicitation of Contributions and Motor Vehicle Repairs. In total, more than 3,900 complaints were filed by consumers in August and the department received 25,614 calls and 2,811 emails for consumer assistance and information.
Do Not Call List and Telemarketing Top List of Consumer Complaints for July 2012 (8/06/2012) - Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today the top three complaints received in July through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 1-800- HELP-FLA consumer hotline: Do Not Call, Solicitation of Contributions and Landlord/Tenant.
Commissioner's Spotlight (7/09/12) - In this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam talks about what to consider when choosing a company to move your belongings when relocating within the state.
Tropical Storm Debby Reduces Wildfire Danger; Commissioner Of Agriculture Adam Putnam Urges Floridians To Use Fireworks Safely (6/29/12) - Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam today called for Floridians to use fireworks safely and responsibly while celebrating Independence Day.
Commissioner Putnam Announces Florida Consumers’ Council (6/20/12) - Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced today appointments to the Florida Consumers’ Council, a group representing businesses and consumer interests whose purpose is to advise and assist the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in carrying out its consumer services and programs.
Commissioner Putnam Announces Ivonne Perez-Suarez as Florida's Consumer Advocate (6/08/12) - Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced today the appointment of Ivonne Perez-Suarez as Consumer Advocate for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Perez-Suarez will serve consumers in South Florida by educating residents about steps they can take to avoid becoming victims of fraud and unfair or deceptive trade practices
Do Not Call List and Telemarketing Top List of Consumer Complaints for May 2012 (6/04/12) - Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today the top three complaints received in May through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 1-800- HELP-FLA consumer hotline: Do Not Call, Telemarketing and Credit Banking. In total, more than 3,900 complaints were filed by consumers in May and the department received 26,024 calls and 2,175 emails for consumer assistance and information.
Commissioner's Spotlight (5/28/12) - This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight is about consumer assistance features, including “Live Chat” and a mobile website, that are now available on the Division of Consumer Services’ website.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Provides Tips for Floridians on Memorial Day (5/24/12) - Do you have plans to celebrate this Memorial Day weekend? Planning a cookout or barbeque with friends and family? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six Americans is affected by a foodborne illness each year and many of these illnesses can be prevented. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers the following tips consumers can take to safely prepare food this Memorial Day weekend and avoid illness.
Commissioner's Spotlight (5/7/12) - This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight is about the transition of Florida’s Do Not Call program to a free subscription service. Florida residents who do not wish to receive telephone sales calls may subscribe residential, mobile or paging device phone numbers to the Florida Do Not Call program without paying a fee. More information is available online by clicking on Do Not Call.
Commissioner Putnam Announces Protection from Unsolicited Calls at No Charge (4/23/12) - Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced today free subscriptions to Florida’s Do Not Call program, which protects Floridians from unsolicited phone calls. Florida residents who do not wish to receive sales calls may subscribe residential, mobile or paging device telephone numbers to the Florida Do Not Call program. Learn More...
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Offers Five Tips for Protecting Homes During Wildfire Season (4/05/12) - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service offered five tips today to help Floridians protect themselves against the dangers of wildfire. Wildfire Awareness Week, which recognizes the wildfires that raged through Florida in 1998, burning more than 500,000 acres and damaging or destroying 337 homes and other structures, will be held April 8 through14.
Commissioner's Spotlight (3/12/12) - This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight is about the top complaints received by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Consumer Services and about how to contact the Division through its toll-free Consumer Hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).
Commissioner Putnam Unveils New Consumer Services Offerings During National Consumer Protection Week (3/05/12) - Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today a new live chat feature and mobile website to help consumers navigate the marketplace. The department, which serves as the state’s clearinghouse for consumer information and concerns, already provides consumer assistance through their consumer hotline, 1-800-HELP-FLA, and website, www.800helpfla.com.
Top 10 Tips to Becoming a Savvy Consumer (3/02/12) - In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, March 4-10, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released 10 tips today to help Floridians become more savvy consumers. National Consumer Protection Week is an annual campaign that encourages consumers to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions in the marketplace.Radio Segment (2/06/12) - Florida State Fair
Complaints about Do Not Call List and Telemarketing Top List of Consumer Complaints for 2011 (1/05/12) - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released today the top 10 consumer complaints filed during the 2011 calendar year. The department received 41,961 complaints, a nine percent increase over the previous calendar year. While complaints about telemarketing and from “Do Not Call” list subscribers topped the list for the third year in a row, the department takes each complaint seriously in an effort to protect all consumers.
