CONSUMER PROTECTION
SLC protects low-income Floridians from scams, deceptive and unfair trade practices.
Consumers who have been deceived or taken advantage of by a business may have legal claims to recover their damages.
WHAT IS THE FLORIDA DECEPTIVE and UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT?
The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) protects consumers from unconscionable, dishonest and unfair conduct by businesses. Consumers may sue to recover damages and to stop the business’s misconduct.
WHO CAN USE THE FDUTPA?
A lawsuit under the FDUTPA can be brought by private consumers who have been harmed by unlawful business practices. A consumer can be a person (including a minor), a person’s estate, a trust, a business, or any group or commercial entity.
WHO CAN USE THE FDUTPA?
A lawsuit under the FDUTPA can be brought by private consumers who have been harmed by unlawful business practices. A consumer can be a person (including a minor), a person’s estate, a trust, a business, or any group or commercial entity.
WHAT IS AN “UNFAIR” PRACTICE?
Under the FDUTPA, an unfair practice is one that is immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous or substantially injurious to consumers. Examples of such practices can include:
• False advertising
• Misleading sales pitches
• “Bait and switch” sales tactics
• Failing to disclose important information
• Misrepresenting the condition of goods
• Price gouging
• Hidden fees
• Unauthorized charges
• Automatic renewals without adequate disclosure
• Failing to honor the terms of a warranty
SLC BELIEVES THAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND THEIR MONEY WITHOUT FEAR OF FRAUD OR DECEPTION.
WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE?
A consumer who has been harmed by deceptive or unfair trade practices has the right to:
Recover damages caused by the unfair trade practices
An injunction (court order) barring the unfair trade practices in the future
Reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs for having to bring a lawsuit to enforce their rights