Bronson Announces Top Ten Complaints For 2009
For Information, Contact:
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
Liz.Compton@freshfromflorida.com
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
December 30, 2009
TALLAHASSEE – Unwanted telephone sales calls continue to be the top gripe for Florida residents, with more than 6,500 complaints filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2009. Commissioner Charles Bronson has released the top ten list of complaints and the state’s Do Not Call law continues to generate the most activity. In fact, there were 1,500 more written complaints filed by people on the Do Not Call list than in 2008. Consumers can pay a fee of $10 with a $5 annual renewal fee to have their home and cell telephone numbers placed on the list and avoid unwanted sales calls. The fee is used only to administer the program. The types of calls that are exempt from the list can be found at www.800helpfla.com/nosales.html.
The department’s Division of Consumer Services is the clearinghouse for consumer complaints in Florida. The division regulates 11 industries but also attempts to mediate problems consumers have with unregulated businesses. Complaints about industries that fall under the regulatory authority of another agency are referred to that agency. There were about 38,000 written complaints filed in 2009, slightly more than the 37,227 filed in 2008. Bronson releases the top ten list every year to alert consumers about what the biggest problem areas are so they can be more vigilant about protecting themselves.
Telemarketing complaints not involving the Do Not Call law ranked second this year with 3,609 complaints. Travel/vacation plans dropped to third place with 2,781 complaints, a decrease of more than 800 from 2008. Fourth on the list was credit/banking with 2,774 complaints and rounding out the top five was communications with 2,302 complaints.
“People can save themselves a lot of trouble and probably money if they check out companies before they do business with them by calling our consumer helpline,” Bronson said. “Consumers can find out if a regulated business is properly registered and check the complaint history of any company.”
Problems with motor vehicle sales and accessories (such as truck tool boxes, bedliners and other items sold in auto parts stories) generated 1,644 complaints putting MV sales sixth on the list. There were slightly less complaints, 1,625 against motor vehicle repair shops which took the number seven spot. The eighth category on the list was medical issues, prompting 1,543 complaints. Landlord/tenant disputes continue to be in the top ten, this year at number nine with 1,523 complaints. The final category in the top ten was complaints against real estate brokers/salespersons with 1,197 complaints.
Bronson encourages consumers to take the time to file a complaint if they feel they have been wronged by a business by calling the department’s helpline at 1-800 HELP FLA (1-800-435-7352) or 1-800-FL AYUDA (1-800-352-9832). The department was able to obtain nearly 5.9 million dollars in goods, services or cash refunds for consumers in 2009. People can use those same helpline numbers to find out the complaint history of a business. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Division of Consumer Services website at www.800helpfla.com.
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