Archive for September, 2010

Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Vero Beach for Unlicensed Electrical Contractors

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

VERO BEACH—On September 16, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Vero Beach for unlicensed electrical contactors. During the sweep, investigators visited 14 jobsites, checked 14 licenses and issued six cease and desist notices to unlicensed electrical contractors.

“DBPR is dedicated to ensuring compliance with state laws and protecting Floridians from the harm posed by hiring unlicensed contractors. Quarterly sweep and sting operations send a strong message that unlicensed activity will not be tolerated,” said Secretary Charlie Liem.

This Vero Beach sweep was part of DBPR’s quarterly statewide unlicensed activity operation. This quarter, department investigators focused on the smaller professions regulated by the department, such as landscape architects, auctioneers and talent agents. The department is charged with regulating 18 different professions with more than 410,000 licensees.

If you hire an unlicensed individual that can threaten the financial and personal safety of consumers, as well as the livelihood of state-licensed professionals. Unlicensed individuals may not carry workers’ compensation or liability insurance, and consumers may end up paying for injuries on the job. Additionally, unlicensed individuals often underbid licensed professionals, which results in law-abiding professionals losing work to those who do not meet state licensure requirements.

Florida’s DBPR’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.

This information was obtained from the DBPR’s website.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com   .

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Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “Sting” Unlicensed Contractors in Jacksonville

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

JACKSONVILLE—Friday, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, completed a three-day sting called “Operation Hammerdown” targeting unlicensed contactors. Twenty-two unlicensed contractors were issued cease and deists notices by DBPR and notices to appear by JSO.

“We are committed to taking proactive measures to keep the public safe and protect them from unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors,” said Secretary Charlie Liem. “We will continue partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure Floridians are protected.”

Florida’s DBPR investigators gathered advertisements for construction work from online classifieds, such as Craigslist.org. Suspected unlicensed contractors were asked to come to the “sting” house to give estimates for work that requires licensure. When the individuals failed to provide their contractor licenses, they were issued notices and cease and desist and notices to appear for unlicensed contracting. Investigators also provided information on how to obtain a license. The ultimate goal is to bring the individuals into compliance with state law and protect consumers.

Below are precautions that consumers can take to help protect themselves from unlicensed individuals:

  • Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
  • Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 or visit myfloridalicense.com.
  • Ask for references and check each one.
  • Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
  • Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.
  • Report suspected unlicensed activity at myfloridalicense.com or toll-free at 1-866-532-1440.

This information was obtained from Florida’s DBPR’s website.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com   .

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Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Dade and Broward Counties for Unlicensed Talent Agents

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Dade and Broward Counties—On September 16, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Dade and Broward counties for unlicensed talent agents. During the sweep, investigators visited talent agencies to check for proper licensure and issued two citations and one cease and desist notice to unlicensed talent agents.

“Talent agents play an important role for aspiring actors, singers and models, and it is important that they have the required education and credentials to navigate entertainment industry,” said Secretary Charlie Liem.

The following agencies were issued penalties for acting as a talent agent without a license:

Name
Address
Penalty
One Source Talent 1250 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Suite 603, Hallandale Beach Fla. 33009 Cease and Desist Notice
MC2 Model Management 1674 Alton Rd., Suite 500 Miami Beach, Fla. 33139 Citation
Seth Rudolph & Associates, Age Model Management 940 Lincoln Rd., Suite 202 Miami, Fla. 33139 Citation

 

This latest South Florida talent agent sweep was part of DBPR’s quarterly statewide unlicensed activity operation. This quarter, department investigators focused on the smaller professions regulated by the department, such as landscape architects, auctioneers and talent agents. The department is charged with regulating 18 different professions with more than 410,000 licensees.

Remember, hiring an unlicensed individual can threaten the financial and personal safety of consumers, as well as the livelihood of state-licensed professionals. Unlicensed individuals may not carry workers’ compensation or liability insurance, and consumers may end up paying for injuries on the job. Additionally, unlicensed individuals often underbid licensed professionals, which results in law-abiding professionals losing work to those who do not meet state licensure requirements.

Here are some tips to help consumers protect themselves against unlicensed activity:

  • Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
  • Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 .
  • Ask for references and check each one.
  • Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
  • Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.
  • Report suspected unlicensed activity at  toll-free at 1-866-532-1440.

The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.

This information was obtained from Florida’s DBPR’s website.

If you are a Florida Talent Agent with licensing issues, Soreide Law Group will represent you in front of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations.  If you need to speak to a lawyer regarding your talent agent license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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Florida Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) Criminal and Disciplinary History

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

All individuals who are considering entering the nursing profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and who may have a criminal history often ask about potential barriers to licensure following successful completion of an approved training program. While it would be nice to know this prior to making a decision to enter the program, obtaining that information is not possible under current Florida law. 

Florida’s Board of Nursing makes decisions about licensure based upon a number of questions on the application and on an individual basis. The application (or the background screening) that indicates a criminal history is considered a non-routine application and must be reviewed by the board staff and possibly referred to the Board of Nursing for action.

Each application is reviewed on its own merits. The Board of Nursing has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, the staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Nursing for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the Board Members when making licensure decisions. 

Florida’s Board may issue a certification under conditions such as probation, supervision, or additional education, or the Board may deny your application. If drugs or alcohol are a concern, the board may require the applicant to undergo an evaluation and to sign a contract with the Intervention Project for Nurses (800-840-2720).

Each training program makes independent decisions about admissions into the program and may require a criminal background screening as part of that process. Clinical facilities may limit or prohibit students with criminal histories from participating in clinical experiences. Other options may not exist for the student to complete required clinical hours in order to obtain a nursing degree; thus, such a student may not be eligible for certification in Florida.

This certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Entry into the training program is the prospective student’s decision based upon the knowledge that he/she may, or may not, be granted a certificate. All of the above factors should be taken into consideration prior to making a decision about a nursing career.

 This information was obtained from floridashealth.com from the Department of Health.

If you are a Florida Certified Nursing Assistant, nursing student or a Florida nurse with licensing issues, Soreide Law Group represents nurses in disciplinary hearings in front of the Florida Board of Nursing.  If you need to speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation Cites Unlicensed Contractors in North Palm Beach

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

 

NORTH PALM BEACH—On September 2, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators, in partnership with the North Palm Beach Building Department, cited five individuals for providing contracting services without a license. The department issued one citation and four cease and desist notices.

Below are precautions that consumers can take to help protect themselves from unlicensed individuals:

Check whether a state license is required for the work to be performed by visiting “What Services Require a DBPR License.”

  • Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
  • Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395.
  • Ask for references and check each one.
  • Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
  • Get a Release of Lien covering all workers and materials. This removes your property from the threat of lien.
  • Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.

Florida’s DBPR’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.

This information was obtained from Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com  

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Florida Authorities Crackdown on Unlicensed Mortgage Modification Activities In Clay County

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Clay County, Florida – It was announced on Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation’s website that on September 2, 2010, Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler and Commissioner Tom Cardwell of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), today announced the execution of search warrants at two offices run by Clay County based companies.  As the result of a joint investigative effort, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted searches this morning of two offices and OFR issued an Emergency Immediate Cease and Desist Order barring the companies from continuing to do business.  The Department of Agriculture was also a partner in the investigation.
 
The OFR investigators allege the two companies – Global Equity Solutions and Hope Financial Services – have been conducting unlawful loan modification services through unlicensed loan modification companies with unlicensed personnel.  Charges against owners and/or employees of the two companies are pending further investigation.  Global Equity Solutions is located at 3332 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg and Hope Financial Services is located at 251 College Drive, Orange Park.  Investigators from the involved agencies remain on scene at both locations.
 
The OFR investigators found the companies marketed services throughout the United States using Internet Web sites, mass mailing materials and a boiler-room-like telephone center.  Preliminary findings included nearly 250 open contracts, which required clients to pay a specified sum, generally between $1,195 and $1,795, prior to completion of a loan modification.
 
“Many of our citizens find themselves in difficult situations, which make them easy prey,” said OFR Commissioner Tom Cardwell.  “There are laws to help safeguard consumers and protect them from becoming victims of financial fraud in their time of need.” Commissioner Cardwell also specifically cautioned against paying any up-front fees whatsoever for loan modifications.  “If you’re asked for any money up front, simply turn around and walk away,” Cardwell advised.
 
Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation offers the following tips for consumers to identify potential fraud and avoid becoming a victim. 
·   Do your research! Check the regulatory requirements the profession adheres to and confirm the person you are working with has a professional license. Also check if any complaints have been filed against the company or individual.  Consumers can go to www.flofr.com/real/ and get up to date information on all licenses.
·   Always get your agreement in writing and specify the services to be provided.
·   NEVER pay any up-front fees for loan modification services. It is illegal to charge consumers for any services until after they have been rendered. 
·   Immediately get help if you feel you have been victimized. Contact the Office of Financial Regulation at 1-800-848-3792 or go to http://www.flofr.com to file a complaint.
 It was noted that the companies providing loan modification services such as adjusting interest rates or any other such services must have an active license from the OFR.  Any person or entity that continues to engage in loan modifications in this state without an active license is guilty of a felony of the third degree punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 per offense.  Members of the media will be notified if today’s search warrants result in charges being filed against the involved parties. Investigators are not at liberty to provide or verify the names of suspects until such time as arrests are made.
This information was obtained from Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation’s website.

Soreide Law Group will represent you in front of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation regarding loan modification licensing issues.  To speak to an attorney, please call: (888)760-6552 or visit our website at: ww.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

 

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