The Bottom Line
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
June 19, 2015
Dear friends,
Throughout the week, DBPR has been sharing helpful links and information for consumers about unlicensed activity. We often provide consumers with tips and reminders on how to protect themselves from falling victim to unlicensed activity scams. In addition to informing the public about how to report suspected unlicensed activity, I believe it’s also important for Floridians to know what DBPR is doing to help fight the battle. Each year, the department has a rigorous Unlicensed Activity Campaign to spread awareness to Floridians and their guests about the importance of hiring licensed professionals.
We give consumers the tools they need to assist us in combatting unlicensed activity, such as a hotline number to call and a mobile app to report suspected unlicensed activity on-the-go. I am proud to share that this fiscal year, the Unlicensed Activity Hotline received more than 2,500 calls and there were more than 180 unlicensed activity complaints submitted through the DBPR Mobile app. Thanks to all of you, we have been able to initiate an additional 550 cases against unlicensed individuals to catch them in their tracks.
In partnership with consumers reporting suspected unlicensed activity, the Division of Regulation routinely attends outreach events to spread awareness about the Unlicensed Activity Campaign and performs stings and sweeps to catch unlicensed individuals who are preying on consumers. This fiscal year, the department has conducted more than 620 unlicensed activity outreach events, 32 stings and more than 600 sweeps. Performing stings and sweeps is the department’s way of confronting unlicensed activity directly at the source. For more information about stings and sweeps conducted by the Division of Regulation, visit the Unlicensed Activity Program’s FAQ page.
By working together to combat unlicensed activity, we can make a much larger impact in the state of Florida. Stopping unlicensed individuals takes a collaborated effort, and I hope each of you knows that DBPR is here to help. If you suspect unlicensed activity is taking place, report it to the department. You can call the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440, email the department at [email protected] or use the ‘Report Unlicensed Activity’ feature on the free DBPR Mobile app. Together we can combat unlicensed activity and better protect the overall livelihood of our beautiful state.
Sincerely,
Ken Lawson
Secretary
Department of Business and Professional Regulation