A few of our recent alerts include tips to avoid vacation rental scams, summertime employment scams, and common moving scams.
At this point in the season, many summer activities may be winding down as parents prepare to send children back to school. However, it would be a mistake to think scammers will cease their efforts to rip off consumers. They will simply adapt their schemes to meet changes in demand.
So, please keep your guard up and take precautions to avoid falling prey to bad actors through the remainder of this summer, and beyond.
To check out our Summer Scams Series and other alerts designed to warn Floridians about common and emerging scams, click here.
To report scams, contact my office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
By guarding against fraud, and reporting scams to my office, you can help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.
In The News
Florida Attorney General Moody highlights seven summer scams to avoid, ABC 9 Orlando
SUMMER SCAMS SERIES: Attorney General Moody highlights seven summer scams, Lehigh Acres Citizen
'Summer scams' warning issued by Florida attorney general, Bay News 9
Florida AG Moody highlights seven summer scams, Gulf Breeze News
Families Against Fentanyl commends AG Ashely Moody’s request for weapon of mass destruction classification, The Capitolist
Honoring a law enforcement officer who left Chicago to serve in Florida, Villages-News
Jacksonville care provider arrested for medicaid fraud in excess of $11,000, First Coast News
Ashley Moody Will Serve on National Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, Florida Daily
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Task Force
Attorney General Ashley Moody is announcing a new Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force that will investigate scammers operating outside of the United States. Florida serves on the executive committee of the task force that consists of 50 attorneys general focusing on telecommunications companies that are responsible for bringing the majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. The new task force has one goal: to cut down on illegal robocalls.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “My office is working with states across the nation to stop the influx of illegal robocalls originating overseas. These calls are often used to execute devious scams and steal from Americans—so it’s important that we work together to investigate these foreign phone calls and find ways to stop them from harming our citizens.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Urges FTC to Protect Consumers from Negative-Option Sales and Predatory Telemarketing Practices
Attorney General Ashley Moody urged the Federal Trade Commission to provide better protections for consumers against negative-option sales and predatory telemarketing calls. To guard against telemarketing calls, Attorney General Moody is asking the FTC to end Telemarketing Sales Rule exemptions for business-to-business calls and inbound calls. Closing loopholes for negative-option products or services will strengthen the TSR and better protect consumers.Negative-option marketing is when sellers interpret a customer’s failure to take affirmative action, either to reject an offer or cancel an agreement, as assent to be charged for products or services. These negative options can pose serious financial risks to consumers if action is not taken to cancel before a given deadline—although canceling the products or services is always far more complicated than incurring the charges.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “More transparency is needed to better protect consumers from negative-option contract renewals and predatory telemarketing practices. I am calling on the FTC to repeal federal exemptions related to telemarketing calls and provide additional protections for consumers who purchase negative-option products and services.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody spoke at the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges 2022 Annual Conference in Orlando. Attorney General Moody highlighted the role Florida's career schools and colleges play in providing training for students to enter the workforce and bolster Florida's economy.
The Florida Gang Investigators Association presented Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Elisabeth Rodriguez with its Prosecutor of the Year award. Rodriguez works out of Attorney General Moody’s Fort Lauderdale office.
Attorney General Moody and the Florida Attorney General’s Office will host the National Conference on Preventing Crime from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26 in Orlando. The conference will include plenary sessions on positive alternatives to violence, trends in illicit drug use by youth, a panel discussion on violent crime trends and effective law enforcement community relations.
