Do Not Call Tops List of Consumer Complaints for June
By Space Coast Daily // July 2, 2014
12,420 Telephone Numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List
ABOVE VIDEO: Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam explains how to join the “Do Not Call List.”
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced today the top three complaints received in June 2014 at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were regarding violators of the statewide Do Not Call List, fuel and cable.
The agency received 4,050 complaints in June.
In addition, there were 39,161 calls, 850 live online chats and 481 emails requesting consumer assistance and information. The top three calls to the agency’s 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline requesting information or assistance were related to cable companies, the solicitation of contributions from charities and the Do Not Call list.
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 June, the agency:
- Initiated 159 investigations.
- Arrested five individuals.
- Recovered $628,476 on behalf of Florida consumers.
- Registered 7,043 businesses.
- Added 12,420 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List. Currently, there are more than 675,000 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).
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.
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.
