National Consumer Protection Week, March 2--8, 2008

National Consumer Protection Week highlights consumer protection and education efforts around the country. The awareness week will highlight consumer education efforts across the nation and encourage everyone involved to become better informed consumers to avoid falling prey to schemers and con artists. According to the Federal Trade Commission, well-informed consumers are often able to recognize a scam. Partner organizations provide practical tips for consumers on how to make well-informed purchase decisions, avoid scams, protect their personal information and file a complaint if they feel they are the victims of fraud. More information is available online at http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

Consumer News

McCollum Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week

Additional Resources

Protect Yourself from Consumer Fraud

Online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/consumer

Attorney General’s Seniors vs. Crime Program

Online at: http://www.seniorsvscrime.com/offices.htm

Florida Department of Consumer Services

Toll-Free in Florida: 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352)
Outside the State of Florida: 850-488-2221
en Español: 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832)
Online at: http://www.800helpfla.com/index.html

Florida Department of Financial Services

Toll-Free in Florida: 1-800-342-2762
Outside the State of Florida: (850) 413-3089
Online at: http://www.fldfs.com/fraud/

Florida Bar's Consumer Protection Information:

Online at: Florida Bar

Better Business Bureaus

Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida
Phone: (904) 721-2288
Online at: http://www.bbbnefla.org

Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida (serving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale,West Palm Beach areas)
Phone: (561) 842-1918
Online at: http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org

Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida
Phone: (850) 429-0002
Online at: http://www.nwfl.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Central Florida (serving Winter Park, Orlando, Altamonte Springs areas)
Phone: (407) 621-3300
(800) 275-6614 (toll-free in FL only)
Online at: http://www.orlando.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of West Florida (serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater areas)
Phone: (727) 535-5522
Online at: http://www.clearwater.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Port St. Lucie
Phone: (772) 335-2017
Email: info@seflorida.bbb.org
Online at: http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org

Local Consumer Protection Offices

Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (813) 903-3430
Online at: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/consumerprotection/

Pasco County Consumer Affairs
Phone: (727) 847-8106

Pinellas County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (727) 464-6200
Online at: http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/bcc/consumer/default.htm

Duval County - Jacksonville - Consumer Protection Office Phone: (904) 630-2489
Online at: http://www.coj.net/Departments/Community+Services/Consumer+Affairs/default.htm

Broward County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (954) 357-5350
Online at: http://www.broward.org/consumer/

Palm Beach County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (561) 712-6600
Online at: http://www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/consumer/html/home.asp

Miami-Dade County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (305) 375-3677
Online at: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/csd/

Orange County Consumer Protection Office
Phone: (407) 836-2490
Online at: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/Dept/Fraud/default.htm