Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices - You Have Rights!

The Caller complained that a "salesman showed up at her door, and he and his partner would not leave."  I would have said, feel free to call the police.

The Caller said, "They took my vacuum cleaner and left me with this water thing." She felt overwhelmed by the people who were in her home.

 

The next day, she wrote a letter to tell them to come get the vacuum, and return hers, but when they showed up two days later with the financing contracts, again, she felt too much pressure. After all, she was alone with 3 people in her home she did not know. Again, I would have encouraged her to call the police.

 

But, What To Do NOW?

 

Call the Florida Attorney General at 850-414-3300.

 

Or visit her website at: http://myfloridalegal.com/contact

There are links to Frequently Asked Questions, such as my favorite, I need an attorney. Can the Attorney General’s office represent me?  and others:

1. I have a complaint against a private business. Where can I go for assistance?
   
2. Does the Attorney General’s Office provide any services o benefits to victims of violent crimes that have resulted in financial hardship?
   
3. What other services are available for crime victims?
   
4. Does the Attorney General help the public with questions on open government?
   
5. I believe that someone is using my name to run up charges on my credit.  What can I do?
   
6. I have a complaint with another state agency. Can the Attorney General act on my behalf or take action against it?
   
7. Who can help me with questions about child support?
   
8. I am having trouble with my insurance company. Can the Attorney General take action?
   
9. I believe that my local public officials are breaking the law or engaging in unethical behavior. What should I do?
   
10. I am constantly receiving telephone calls at night, on weekends, during the dinner hour, from people trying to sell me something. Is there any way I can prevent these calls?
    
11. I know of a state law that needs to be changed. Who can I contact?
    
12. Where can I find copies of state and federal laws?
    
13. What training does the Attorney General’s Office offer to lawenforcement, victims, and the general public?
    
14. I am part of a local Crime Stopper organization. How can my group apply for a grant from the Crime Stopper Trust Fund?
    
15. Who can help me with a problem concerning my utility?
    
16. I have a complaint against my local law enforcement department. Who can help me?
    
17. I feel that I am being discriminated against because of age,race, gender, or disability. Can the Attorney General help me?
    
18. I do not know all of the details on the products that I buy. How do I protect myself from consumer fraud?
    
19. My landlord is not doing what he is supposed to do according to our lease.  Who can help me?
    
20. My neighbor recently moved to Florida from out of state and the mover would not unload the truck until my neighbor paid him more than agreed upon. I just moved here from within Florida and the same thing happened to me, plus several items were damaged. How can we recover our money?

If these are not your questions, go here to explore other areas:

http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/4492D797DC0BD92F85256CB80055FB97/20AFA53C4EC9E3EA85256CCB00522BE1?OpenDocument

There are links to information about Identity Theft: http://myfloridalegal.com/identitytheft

 

Other places on the site allow direct contact with the office of Consumer Protection: http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/18A7753257FE439085256CC9004EC4F7

 

Here is the page to file a complaint: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/Contact?OpenForm&Section=Consumer_Protection_Division

 

Note:

1. All information submitted with this complaint is subject to public inspection pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
2. Whoever knowingly makes a false statement in writing with the intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his official duty shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 837.06, Florida Statutes.

 

Do not let the warning bother you. If you have been harmed by the actions of a Door to Door Salesman or telephone solicitation, please, protect yourself and others by filing a complaint.

 

An easy link to Citizen Services allows several contacts and valuable information for protecting yourself and your loved ones. http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/27BC1ED4C58ABD878525792200477D3F

 

There is even a Medicaid Fraud Unit - just in case your healthcare provider is performing too many services you don't need or billing the state for services you did not receive. http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/ebc480598bbf32d885256cc6005b54d1

 

You can get involved too.
Consumer-conscious senior citizens in Florida have the opportunity to volunteer their time and energy to help the Attorney General's Office fight back against con artists who typically prey on their number. They can become part of a statewide program known as "Seniors vs. Crime."
Formed in 1989 by the Attorney General, Vern Thornton and the American Association of Retired Persons, the program uses retired citizens not only to educate Floridians on consumer fraud but also to help in some consumer investigations. In addition, the volunteers regularly conduct seminars on how seniors can protect themselves from becoming crime victims.
For program information, consumer inquiries, consumer complaints, or to schedule a Consumer Seminar, please call 1-800-203-3099 or visit our web site at www.seniorsvscrime.com.

 

Finally, thre is even an A-Z resource guide here: https://csapp.800helpfla.com/CSPublicApp/AZGuide/AZGuideSearch.aspx

 

So much help is out there. You just have to look.

Post Divorce Planning

What do you do After you divorce?

Stumbled on a great article for lawyers titled, "Getting on Track Financially After Being Derailed by a Divorce: Lifestyle, Personal Finance, Practice Management"

Of course the average person getting a divorce may not need quite the same planning considerations, or so they think!

Realities are remarkably similar. If a person getting a divorce plans well for the future, the impact to their life can be mitigated. Consult with an investment advisor as to financial needs post-divorce is one way to plan early for Alimony and Child Support needs, and one way to plan for the end of alimony and child support in your particular case.

No one expects child support to last beyond age 18, well Almost No One! Some parents feel child support should continue throughout college even if the child is Not living at home. High Expectations in Divorce lead to extremely difficult cases. Mediation is virtually impossible when one party has expectations that are so far out of reason the other party gives up before they even come close in negotiation.

When the parties begin too far apart, the mediator cannot be expected to bridge the gap in a minimal court required mediation. (This is one reason I always recommend Collaborative Law to my clients.)
If one former spouse wants to continue a life of relative ease while the other is forced to work well past retirement, one side may say, "why negotiate? Let the court decide."

Once you give up control to a third party, whether it be the Judge, or your attorney, or your former spouse, regaining control of your situation may appear impossible. Always remember, Nothing is Impossible; some things are  just more difficult than others. Where parties have been married for a long time, patterns of conduct may have grown that are hard to break free; a good attorney can guide you into positive decisions. Rather than reacting to your spouse, you can direct the negotiation by following the guidance provided. Whether your spouse follows your lead is entirely up to them, but so long as you move toward final resolution in a planned and coordinated effort, the end result can be achieved. (Again, Collaborative Law begins and ends with the Clients making all Decisions.)

If you need assistance, do not be afraid to ask. You must make the effort. You have the power to take control of your situation. Better to work now During the Divorce, than to worry later about what might have been. Call me today: 407-645-3297 or visit my website: www.aubreylaw.com

Oh, that link for What to do After Divorce:
http://legalinkmagazine.com/2014/09/getting-on-track-financially-after-being-derailed-by-a-divorce/