Department of Business and Professional Regulation Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE—

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s top priority is to protect Florida’s consumers, and during International Fraud Awareness Week, the department reminds consumers to hire only state-licensed professionals.

Consumers can protect themselves by always checking licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com. For more information about what services require a DBPR license, consumers can visit the department’s “What Services Require a DBPR License?” Web page.

International Fraud Awareness Week, Nov. 8 through 14, encourages business leaders and employees to take proactive steps to prevent fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. The department works to prevent consumer fraud year-round through a three-tiered approach to combating unlicensed activity—education, prevention and enforcement.

Education and prevention efforts include a public awareness campaign consisting of public service announcements, educational brochures, Google Ad Words, and online and print advertising. Enforcement efforts include sweeps that consist of checking licenses to ensure compliance with state laws, and stings that involve undercover operations where known or suspected unlicensed individuals are targeted.

Consumers who hire licensed professionals ensure that work is being done by a professional who has the education and experience to perform the services they provide, has been screened for prior criminal history, and carries the appropriate insurance and workers’ compensation. There is little recourse for consumers who hire unlicensed individuals.

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.

For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.