Criminal Justice Forum

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson
is joining consumer protection officials nationwide in calling on people to
educate themselves about consumer fraud as the best way to combat the
growing problem.  Bronson today sponsored a Cabinet Resolution proclaiming
February 5-11 as National Consumer Protection Week in Florida.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also has
information and brochures for people to educate themselves about potential
scams as well as their rights and responsibilities under the law to become
savvy consumers at its website.

 In addition to the web site, people can call the Department’s toll-free
consumer hotline at 1-800-HELP FLA (1-800-435-7352) to speak with a consumer
analyst if they have a complaint.  More importantly, consumers are urged to
call the hotline prior to making a purchase or signing a contract to find
out the complaint history of a company and whether the business is properly
registered if required by law to do so.

"A lot of fraud could be avoided if people just do their homework and check
out a business before spending any money," Bronson said.  "We have a wealth
of information about travel scams, bogus business opportunities, and many
other scams and alerts that consumers can utilize to protect themselves."