Commissioner Nikki Fried & FDACS Provide Consumer

Tallahassee, Fla. – At present, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Division of Agriculture and Consumer Providers (FDACS) are highlighting Nationwide Hurricane Preparedness Week by sharing tricks to elevate keep away from shopper fraud scams surrounding pure disasters and greatest put together for potential storms. Nationwide Hurricane Preparedness Week started Could 1^st and ends Could 7^th.

“With storms growing in energy and frequency, it’s extra necessary than ever for Floridians to be ready for hurricanes,” stated Commissioner Fried. “This Nationwide Hurricane Preparedness Week, please take the time to make a plan with your loved ones for what is predicted to be an lively hurricane season in 2022.”

Hurricane Gas Plan Preparations:

FDACS recommends the next suggestions for hurricane preparedness, together with necessary gas security reminders:

• Preserve all autos at the very least half full throughout hurricane season.
• Preserve at the very least one automobile crammed with gasoline as soon as the earliest predictions point out a storm might threaten the state.
• Pre-purchase fuels (LP gasoline and gasoline) for turbines firstly of hurricane season – correctly saved fuels will final at the very least six months, and may be transferred right into a automobile to be used ought to no emergency come up.
• Use gasoline gas stabilizer to maintain gasoline contemporary and able to use when it’s wanted.

Gas Security:

• Refill gas containers on the bottom, not within the truck mattress or trunk.
• Transport and retailer gas ONLY in acceptable containers – search for DOT accepted containers that shut tightly and don’t leak.
• NEVER retailer or transport gasoline in milk jugs or open high containers.
• Retailer gas in a secure and well-ventilated location.

Report Outages/High quality: To report gas outages or high quality points earlier than or after a hurricane, customers ought to contact the division’s Division of Consumer Providers at 1-800-HELP-FLA, 1-800-FL-AYUDA en Español, or FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

Consumer Anti-Fraud Suggestions

Clear-up and restore scams: After disasters, unlicensed contractors and scammers might seem with guarantees of fast repairs, clean-up, and particles elimination. Some might demand upfront cost and never do the work, declare you’ll get a reduction however quote outrageous costs, or lack wanted expertise. Earlier than you do enterprise with any firm offering these companies:

• Do your analysis: Ask for IDs, licenses, proof of insurance coverage, and references. See if native contact info is on their vans. Test with FDACS’ Division of Consumer Providers for complaints.
• Get one other estimate: Test if different firms providing comparable companies are offering quotes with comparable costs.
• Assessment contracts rigorously: Guarantee all guarantees an organization makes are in writing and that you just perceive what you’re signing.
• By no means use money: All the time pay with a examine or a bank card and by no means make the ultimate cost till the work is full.

Imposter Scams: Imposter scams are available many types however typically work the identical manner, a scammer pretends to be somebody you belief and tries to persuade you to ship them cash or private info:

• Posing as authorities: Some scammers faux to be authorities officers, inspectors, or utility staff who say speedy work is required. All the time ask to see an ID. If anybody asks you for cost or your monetary info, it’s a rip-off.
• No charges: Observe that FEMA doesn’t cost utility charges. If somebody needs cash that can assist you qualify for FEMA funds, it could be a rip-off.

Job Scams: Scammers typically promote in the identical locations as actual employers and job placement corporations, however they lie about your possibilities of getting a job and sometimes ask you to pay earlier than you get one — which is a positive signal of a rip-off. Genuine sources to find job alternatives after a catastrophe:

• CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Division of Labor, CareerOneStop lists a whole lot of 1000’s of jobs.
• State and county workplaces: The state’s Jobs.MyFlorida.com web site or Profession Supply Florida might have job listings.
• Schools: School profession service workplaces have useful sources. Should you’re not a present or former scholar, some faculties should still allow you to entry their job itemizing sources.

Rental Itemizing Scams: Should you’re on the lookout for a spot to stay, keep away from anybody asking you to wire cash or who asks for safety deposits or lease earlier than you’ve met or signed a lease.

• False itemizing: Some scammers hijack an actual itemizing by altering the e-mail deal with or different contact info and posting a modified advert. Strive googling some the knowledge in an inventory to see the place else it’s posted and if the contact info is similar.
• Confirm addresses: Different scammers create listings for locations that aren’t for lease or don’t even exist. Strive looking out the deal with and get in touch with info offered to confirm it’s respectable.

Catastrophe Charity Scams: Scammers will typically attempt to benefit from the misfortune of others, together with when disasters strike. Assessment FDACS shopper tips about donating correctly and avoiding charity scams.

What ought to customers do?

• File a shopper criticism: To file a criticism, full our on-line kind or name 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) en Español.
• Share your story: Share your story with family and friends or on social media to assist others keep away from falling sufferer.
• Assessment our shopper sources: Shoppers can discover useful suggestions and recourse on our web site: FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

Background: FDACS and the Division of Consumer Providers is Florida’s state shopper safety company, liable for regulating charities, dealing with shopper complaints, and defending towards unfair and unsafe enterprise practices. The Division regulates companies together with motorcar restore outlets, pawnbrokers, well being studios, journey sellers, intrastate movers, skilled surveyors and mappers, sweepstakes/recreation promotions, and telemarketers.

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