As the rebuild efforts continue, I want to remind Floridians that our Price Gouging Hotline remains active, and my Rapid Response Team continues to quickly address allegations of extreme price increases.
We also have investigators on the ground in some of the hardest hit regions of our state.
These investigators are answering consumers’ questions and standing ready to respond to scams that may arise as recovery efforts continue.
In total, our Rapid Response Team has secured more than $17,000 in refunds for more than 100 Floridians since Ian struck.
For additional information and tips on how to guard against scams that may arise following a natural disaster, Floridians can check out my Scams at a Glance: After the Storm resource. Also, our Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging tool provides more information about what price gouging is, what evidence to collect and how to report cases.
Both are free to download at MyFloridaLegal.com/ScamsAtAGlance.
If you suspect price gouging or encounter a scam related to the recovery efforts, please contact my office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.
Stay safe, Florida.
In The News
Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians of Price Gouging, Disaster Scams and Fraud in Aftermath of Hurricane Ian | Florida Record
AG Moody says enough fentanyl seized in ‘massive’ bust to kill half of Florida, NBC 8 Tampa
Florida AG announces prosecution of Mexican fentanyl gang | Yahoo News
Ashley Moody: 24 arrested, 1 wanted in Florida fentanyl drug bust, FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Ashley Moody warns that fentanyl ‘Nerds’ candy could be drug cartels’ next Halloween trick, Florida Politics
When a hurricane brings scammers knocking, ‘you are the best protection against fraud’, WUSF Tampa
Florida and its police departments offering incentives to attract new recruits | Fox 13 Tampa Bay
Protecting Floridians
Florida’s Price Gouging Laws Remain in Effect as Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts Continue
Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a reminder that Florida’s price gouging laws are still in effect. Following the declaration of a state of emergency on Sept. 23, Attorney General Moody Read More
AG Moody and Law Enforcement Agencies Bust Gang Members and Seize Enough Fentanyl to Kill Half of Florida’s Population
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shut down a major drug trafficking organization operated by gang members affiliated with Mexican drug cartels. Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors are charging 25 defendants, including SUR-13 gang members, with multiple felony counts related to drug trafficking, violent criminal acts and conspiracy.
According to an investigation by the FDLE, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, members of the SUR 13 gang, also known as Sureños, operated a drug trafficking organization from behind bars. Authorities seized more than 50 pounds, or 23 kilograms, of fentanyl—enough to kill more than 11 million Floridians, approximately half the state’s population.
This case, combined with several other drug busts over the past few months, brings the total amount of fentanyl seized in Florida to nearly 85 pounds, enough to kill everyone in 66 of Florida’s 67 counties.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “In just a few months’ time, authorities have seized enough fentanyl to wipe out the combined populations of 66 of Florida’s 67 counties—more than 19 million people! The prevalence of this dangerous substance poses a critical threat not only to the wellbeing of the citizens of our state but also our nation. Until President Biden takes action to address the border crisis that is emboldening Mexican drug cartels to bring record amounts of these dangerous substances across the border—fentanyl will continue to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit to survey damage caused by Hurricane Ian and discuss the ongoing recovery efforts.
Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection investigators are on the ground in at Disaster Recovery Centers in Lee, Sarasota and Collier counties to assist consumers who may encounter price gouging of storm-related scams.
