Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovers $269,500 For Floridians
By Space Coast Daily // November 3, 2015
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered more than $269,500 for Floridians during the month of October.
As the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, the department works diligently to educate the public, investigate complaints and provide mediation on behalf of consumers. The department has recovered more than $2.7 million for Floridians this year.
“One of our department’s top priorities is to help safeguard Florida’s residents and visitors from fraud, and we work to equip consumers with the knowledge they need to protect themselves,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “From investigating illegal telemarketing to helping protect vulnerable residents from identity theft, the department works every day to protect Floridians’ hard-earned money.”
During the month of October, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
• Recovered $269,542.21 on behalf of Florida consumers;
• Received 3,255 complaints;
• Initiated 280 investigations;
• Arrested 19 individuals;
• Provided assistance to 25,411 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
• Added 14,595 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List. Currently, there are more than 884,040 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 FreshFromFlorida.com.
