Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Offers “Live Chat” Feature to Help Consumers Find Information, File Complaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Erin Gillespie
March 3, 2015	(850) 617-7737 Twitter: @FDACSNews
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Offers “Live Chat” Feature to Help Consumers Find Information, File Complaints TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Since Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam launched the “live chat” feature on FreshFromFlorida.com, more than 24,000 consumers have used this convenient tool to find key consumer protection information and to file complaints. This week is National Consumer Protection Week, and consumers can peruse the website to use the chat feature and to find other helpful resources. “Consumers need a quick and easy way to get information about a business before signing a contract, donating money or letting someone into their home,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “This live chat feature provides consumers with a convenient way to get important information quickly.” The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency. For more tips on how to keep safe from fraud and scams, or to file a complaint, go to800HelpFla.com. Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visitFreshFromFlorida.com.

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