Standardized testing is a stressful time for students and parents alike, and many parents will purchase test prep services for their children to ease this burden. Unfortunately, scammers often pose as members of educational organizations in an attempt to swindle parents—promising test prep and other educational services with no intention of delivering a product or service.
As graduation approaches and the rush to submit college applications is underway, be on guard against this type of fraud by:
- Knowing that the College Board will not ask for passwords, bank accounts or credit card numbers by phone or email. They also will not make unsolicited calls to students or parents;
- Checking to see if your child’s school, local library or community center offers free or discounted test preparation materials;
- Contacting your child’s school to see if a solicitation received is legitimate and tied to a school offering as it may claim; and
- Never providing banking or credit card information in response to an unsolicited call, email or social media message.
By guarding against scams and reporting suspicious activity, you can help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.
In The News
Parents beware: Standardized test prep scams are on the rise in Florida, ABC 7 Fort Myers
Attorney General Ashley Moody warning against test prep scams, WCTV
Ashley Moody Issues Consumer Alert on Stimulus Payment Scams, Florida Daily
Florida secures agreement to resolve deceptive marketing strategy for surgical mesh products, ABC 7 Sarasota
Ashley Moody Warns of Law Enforcement Imposter Scam Phone Calls, Florida Daily
Police K-9 bill continues favorable run in House, Florida Politics
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Secures Millions for Florida Through Multistate Investigation into National Medical Device Manufacturer
Attorney General Ashley Moody secured a multistate agreement with Boston Scientific Corporation to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing of its surgical mesh products for women. Attorney General Moody’s office took a lead role in conducting the nationwide multistate investigation and negotiating a multimillion-dollar resolution. The agreement requires BSC to pay more than $188 million to 47 states and the District of Columbia to resolve allegations that it deceptively marketed transvaginal surgical mesh devices to patients. Florida’s share of the agreement is $11.5 million.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Patients undergoing any surgical procedure are under a great deal of uncertainty and stress, often putting their full trust in medical personnel and devices to relieve major symptoms. The deceptive marketing practices by this company created even greater pain and stress for patients in Florida and nationwide. I am proud of my office for taking lead in this case and hope that the strong injunctive relief our coalition has secured will prevent this from happening again in the future.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Encourages Student-Led Drug Prevention Programs in Florida Schools
Attorney General Ashley Moody delivered remarks virtually to highlight student-led drug prevention programs at the Florida Association of District School Superintendents Conference. The opioid crisis continues to ravage Florida, with close to 17 people dying each day due to overdoses. Attorney General Moody is encouraging school superintendents to bolster student-led anti-drug initiatives to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of addiction to prevent addiction and misuse.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I am thrilled to partner with FADSS in raising awareness about the importance of youth-led activities that promote substance abuse prevention. As a mom, I know how important it is to start taking measures on drug-abuse prevention early and comprehensively. My goal is to showcase effective programs and increase the number of these student-led initiatives to keep kids engaged, both during and after school, in order to decrease the misuse and often fatal effects of the opioid crisis.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis in Port Canaveral to call on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lift an outdated lockdown order on the cruise industry. To view this important discussion, click here.
General Moody met with Florida House Representative Ardian Zika to discuss her efforts to combat COVID-19 fraud and thank the representative for sponsoring HB 9.
