Aaronson's Alert

Our winter season has come to a close and we are well into spring. No matter where you will be in the coming months, Sheila, Mary Lou, Vivian, Meaghan and I wish all of you a safe, healthy and happy summer.

Spring signals the time of year many decide to clean out, spruce up or possibly renovate your home. If your “spring cleaning” plans include hiring a local company I want to encourage you to utilize the County’s Consumer Affairs Division. In this struggling economy there are many fly-by-night companies that may not have your best interest at heart.

Director of Consumer Affairs, Dennis Moore advises that during this time of year we see an influx of nomadic contractors. Be alert to these types of scams: driveway repair, gutter cleaning, minor roof repairs and door-to-door solicitations that run the gamut from yard clean up to auto dent repairs. Avoid the “it’s your lucky day - I am in the neighborhood so I can give you a good deal” scam. Do your homework instead.

Consumer Affairs assists residents and visitors with advice and information about unfair, fraudulent or deceptive practices of businesses. Before you commit to hiring a company you should contact Consumer Affairs toll free at 1-888-852-7362 to make sure that the company is licensed. You can also check if they have had any prior complaints, and if so, what was done to resolve them.

If you are hiring a contractor they must be certified with the County’s Contractor Certification Division or licensed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Before you use any contractor you should call our Certification Division at (561)233-5530 to make sure that the contractor is properly licensed. Be wary of any contractor that suggests you will save money by obtaining your own permit. The company you hire should be the one to obtain any required permit(s).

In addition to the helpful ways I have outlined, Consumer Affairs also regulates taxi cab, limousine, local moving companies and non-consent towing companies. Consumer Affairs handles approximately 2,500 written complaints, 4,000 walk-in visitors and 50,000 phone calls each year. If you feel you have been victimized you can call on them. If they cannot help with your specific case they can refer you to the agency that has authority over your issue.

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.  My email address is:  baaronso@pbcgov.org.