Telemarketers Top Consumer Complaints in Florida

By  //  June 7, 2013

STATE ADDS 21,454 TO DO NOT CALL LIST

ABOVE VIDEO: The FTC Explains how to recognize and report phone fraud and encourages consumers to register their number in the National Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketing calls were the top complaint among Florida consumers.

Florida Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam
Florida Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Telemarketers led the top three complaints among Florida consumers during the month of May.

According to Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam,  the top three calls to the agency’s 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline were related to the Do Not Call list, solicitation of contributions from charities and motor vehicle repair.

The agency received 4,190 written complaints in May. In addition, there were 35,427 calls and 604 emails requesting consumer assistance and information.

In the past month, the department has responded to many consumer concerns and taken action against several individuals or businesses operating outside of Florida law.

During the month of May, the agency:

  • Registered 6,200 businesses.
  • Initiated 162 investigations.
  • Arrested 1 individual.
  • Recovered $292,247 on behalf of Florida consumers.
  • Added 21,454 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List. Currently, there are more than 500,000 numbers on the list.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.

Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.