Monday, November 12, 2007
Florida Cyberfraud Unit Cracking Down, Web Marketer Pays $1 Million
Florida Attorney General Bill
McCollum is focusing on the Internet as one of his key issues.
McCollum's new "
CyberFraud Task Force" is aiming at the entire web, not just a single niche, to protect Florida's consumers.
They also have just announced an
agreement with web marketer Azoogle. The company, which engages in multiple marketing opportunities for businesses and consumers, was marketing
ringtones to younger consumers when it caught the task force's attention.
Azoogle was not charged with nor did they admit any wrongdoing, but the company did make a $1 million payment to Florida. and is said to be cooperating with the task force.
Florida is one of those states where the local consumer protection offices wield power and do a great job consumers. Larry
Kaplan of the
Broward County Commission in Fort
Lauderdale is one example of a great consumer advocate, but the state can obviously muster resources that exceed local capabilities.
A staunch Republican who served in the House of Representatives for over 20 years with assignments such as Bill Clinton's impeachment and the Iran-Contra hearings,
McCollum is an experienced litigator who seems to have found a home for himself in consumer affairs.
Labels: Azoogle, Bill McCollum, CyberFraud Task Force, Florida
Monday, May 07, 2007
E. Coli Alert Issued In Florida, Mexican Cheese Suspected
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging consumers to check their refrigerators for Ole Mexican Foods’ Verole Queso Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese and Ole Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese. The two products may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
The potential for this contamination was determined after random testing performed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in samples of both of the cheeses.
“The discovery of this problem demonstrates the importance of an integrated pro-active food safety program, where products from stores and food processors are not only inspected but tested in our labs, as well,” Bronson said.
Department inspectors are working with Florida grocery chains to remove any of the potentially tainted cheese from those stores and are checking warehouses in Florida from which the products were distributed. Bronson said his agency has also notified the U.S. Food Drug Administration, which is responsible for the products in other states.
The affected code for Verole Queso Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese Net Wt. 15 oz. is V7&8 052 47193 SELL BY: 05/31/07; the affected code for Ole Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese Net Wt. 12 oz. is V5&6 051 47193 SELL BY: 05/30/07. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
Labels: FDA, Florida, recall
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Price Gouging Warnings After Florida Tornadoes
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has urged state residents to report any instances of price gouging in the wake of the tornadoes that tore through four Central Florida counties this week.
State law prohibits charging exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators or lumber following the declaration of an emergency, unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by retailers.
Governor Charlie Crist has declared an emergency in Volusia, Sumter, Lake and Seminole counties, triggering the activation of the price-gouging statute. The price gouging law’s activation is limited to activities only in those counties.
Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
“We’re asking consumers to come forward and let us know if any retailers have exploited our citizens or are profiteering from the tornadoes,” Bronson said. “This activity is not only reprehensible, it’s illegal.”
Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging has occurred or is occurring to report it at once to his department’s toll-free hotline - 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352). In addition to the price gouging oversight, Bronson’s Division of Forestry is providing assistance in clearing roads and removing debris.
Labels: Florida, price gouging
