Investigators from the Department’s Division of Consumer Services, in partnership with the Department’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, conducted inspections in Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Investigators issued cease and desist orders to 12 businesses and 170 salespeople. In addition to the unlicensed telemarketing activity, investigators found violations ranging from operating at an undisclosed location to using telephone sales scripts that had not been submitted to the Department for review.
In total, 19 businesses were inspected and more than 200 violations of the Florida Telemarketing Act were cited, resulting in $108,000 in fines against offending businesses. Further investigations are pending.
“Effective telemarketing regulation benefits consumers by providing protection from identity theft and unscrupulous operators,” says Putnam. “It creates a fair and level playing field for telemarketing businesses that abide by the rules.”
The Department regulates the telemarketing industry and requires businesses and their sales agents to register, and anyone with a criminal history involving fraud will not be accepted.
Complaints about telemarketing top the 2010 list of consumer complaints filed with the Department’s Division of Consumer Services. Roughly 22 percent (8,599) of the complaints related to telemarketing. Overall, 2010 consumer complaints increased by seven percent to over 40,000. More than 88 percent of those complaints were successfully closed or resolved.
The top 10 consumer complaints received by the Department in 2010 were:
1. Telemarketing, 8,599
2. Do Not Call, 7,632
3. Credit/Banking, 2,528
4. Communications, 2,248
5. Travel/Vacation Plans, 1,977
6. Motor Vehicle Repair, 1,902
7. Real Estate/Broker, 1,627
8. Motor Vehicle Sale, 1,492
9. Landlord/Tenant, 1,415
10. Medical, 1,046
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place, can contact the Department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or for Spanish speakers 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Consumers can also check registration status or the complaint history of a telemarketer by logging on to www.800helpfla.com.
© 2011 Florida Realtors®
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If you are a REALTOR, You CAN call someone on the Do Not Call list IF you are going to buy their house. If your calling just to try list their house then it is ILLEGAL. If your working the expired listings be sure to check the http://www.donotcall.gov/ list before you call. There are pay subscriptions that check it for you. Yes I know the checking the DoNotCall.gov is a pain and time consuming.
I am a REALTOR. I Do not call people on the do not call list. I do call people on the Do Not Call list if I am finding out and thinking about making and OFFER on their property to buy it personally.
If you are thinking about selling your property or KNOW of someone who wants to sell then Let Me know or have them call/email me.
How can I serve your today?
Andy Carson
Cell: 321-297-8089
APCarson@gmail.com
EXIT REALTY CENTRAL
711 N. ORLANDO AVE, SUITE 302
MAITLAND, FL 32751
Office (407) 539-3948
Fax (407) 647-3948
Search the MLS at: http://www.andycarsonlaughs.com/
My Blog: http://www.mrdowntownorlando.com/
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I ALWAYS recommend getting Inspections, Surveys, Insurance and Title Insurance. Always use a Licensed and Insured Contractors when you fix properties
To check sex offenders near a property you can check at http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Search.jsp
P.S. Everything That can go right, WILL GO Right and with the best possible outcome. Plan and Work for the Outcome you want.
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