Most of you take advantage of County services such as libraries, parks and public transportation. There is another service that the County provides that I want to make certain you know about. The Consumer Affairs Division is a part of the Public Safety Department. It assists residents and visitors with advice and information about unfair, fraudulent or deceptive practices of businesses and landlords. It also regulates taxi cab, limousine, local moving companies and non-consent towing companies. In an average year, Consumer Affairs receives 50,000 phone calls and 2,500 written inquiries and disputes. It tracks over 22,000 businesses in the County and recovers up to $1 million.
Consumer Affairs has Investigators and Compliance Officers ready to help you with your questions and complaints. If you want to know whether a business has many complaints against it, Consumer Affairs can help. If you want to know if a business is licensed by the County, Consumer Affairs can help. If you have purchased a product that you discover is defective or you have contracted for a service that was poorly done, call Consumer Affairs and file a complaint. While Consumer Affairs cannot legally mandate a resolution on opposing parties, it will try to resolve disagreements through mediation.
The County wants all residents to be "Informed Consumers". The Consumer Affairs’ staff conducts interesting presentations to service organizations, homeowners associations and local high schools. Presentations include information on consumer rights/responsibilities, identity theft, credit issues, consumer fraud, telemarketing and regulated industries.
Consumer Affairs has just begun issuing a weekly news release called “Consumer Traps & Tips.” The one-page narrative tells about residents who get “trapped” in shopping or business dealings and then provides “Tips” to help you avoid similar situations. Recent topics included: Carpet/Tile cleaning, Selecting the Right Tax Preparer, Driveway Repairs and Buying Furniture. “Consumer Traps & Trips” can be found on the Consumer Affairs website: http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/consumer. It is also available by email to civic, condo and homeowner associations. If your association would like to receive the email, please contact my office by phone or email and we will make the arrangements.
As always, I invite your comments on any issue of interest to you. As your Commissioner, I am here to help you. You may write me at 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401 or call my staff at 276-1310 or toll free at 877-930-2205. You can also email me at baaronso@pbcgov.org.
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Government
