Category Archives: Consumer Fraud
Consumer Fraud Is On The Rise
Federal Trade Commission data released earlier this year shows that consumers reported losing nearly $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, an increase of more than 30 percent over 2021. The reports came from 2.4 million consumers, with the most reported type being imposter scams, followed by online shopping scams. Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries; investment… Read More »
Four Florida Men Indicted; Charged With Running Billion-Dollar Healthcare Fraud Scheme
According to reporting from the Associated Press, four Florida men, six Florida companies, and one Houston, Texas-based firm have been named in an indictment alleging that they collectively carried out a nearly $1 billion healthcare fraud scheme. In a press release, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) states that tens of thousands of… Read More »
Vomit Fraud? South Florida Uber Drivers Accused of Unusual Scam
When customers use the Uber ridesharing app, they will be required to agree to the company’s ‘terms of service’. If an Uber rider causes damage to the inside of a vehicle during their trip, a cleaning fee can be billed to their credit card. When a passenger vomits in an Uber in South Florida,… Read More »
Sunrise, Florida Woman To Be Sentenced For Role in Eight Figure Business Fraud Scheme
On June 13th, 2018, the Miami Herald reported that Destiny Asjee Rowland, a 21-year-old woman from South Florida, is set to be sentenced for her role in a $16 million business fraud scam. According to state prosecutors, Ms. Rowland helped to establish an international ring that included as least 74 different people who were… Read More »
McDonald’s Value Meal Might Not Save You Money — But Judge Says It is Not False Advertising
Recently, a United States federal court judge in Illinois ruled in favor of McDonald’s in a deceptive advertising lawsuit. According to the allegations raised in the class-action lawsuit, buying a McDonald’s ‘Extra Value Meal’ was actually somewhat more expensive than purchasing each item included in the meal individually. However, the federal judge ruled that… Read More »
The Top Seven Consumer Complaints in 2017
Unfortunately, consumer fraud remains a major problem in the state of Florida. On December 28th, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released its annual report on consumer fraud and consumer complaints. In 2017, the agency received more than 40,000 separate complaints from Florida consumers. Undoubtedly, this figure only represents a small… Read More »
Four South Florida Men Convicted in $25 Million Fraud Scheme
According to reporting from the Sun-Sentinel, four men from South Florida have been sentenced to prison for their role in a $25 million sweepstakes mailer fraud scheme. The men received sentences of varying length, with the longest sentence going to the man who was accused of being the lead preparator: Matthew Pisoni of Fort… Read More »
What You Need to Know About the ‘Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act’ (ROSCA)
Every year, a larger percentage of American commerce is done over the internet. This has led to the rise of a wide variety of different types of business models, including the re-emergence of subscription services. Indeed, it seems like web-based subscription services are everywhere nowadays. Though, sometimes these services are marketed to customers in… Read More »
Consumer Fraud Alert: Scammers are Targeting Hurricane Victims
Through late September, the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has been rough. Several major storms have already made landfall in the United States and the Caribbean, including Hurricane Irma, which hit the state of Florida. Sadly, in the confusion of the storm’s aftermath, some unscrupulous actors are attempting to take advantage of hurricane victims. The… Read More »
Florida Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Consumer in Motor Vehicle Fraud Case
On September 6th, 2017, Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal issued a ruling in the case of Landry v. Charlotte Motor Cars, LLC. This case centered around a dispute involving alleged fraud by a car dealership. Originally, a lower court had dismissed the fraud claim on the grounds that consumer had “spoiled” the evidence…. Read More »
