Bondi
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit on Thursday against a Delray Beach company and its principal for allegedly falsely advertising scam protection services.
Scammer Guard LLC and Frank Esposito, its principal, allegedly told consumers that the business was affiliated with Bondi's office, the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies to attain consumer refunds. In addition, the company allegedly claimed to have access to special information regarding the attainment of the funds. The company also allegedly claimed that it was conducting the inquiries on behalf of these agencies of the government.
Scammer Guard allegedly charged consumers upfront fees that ranged from $250 to $750 for its services. It is illegal in the state of Florida for foreclosure-related rescue and particular recovery services to charge upfront fees.
Bondi requested that the court grant a temporary injunction to stop the allegedly deceptive practices. The request was granted on Wednesday by the Broward County Circuit Court.
"This fraudulent scheme preyed on consumers who had already suffered financial harm," Bondi said. "Consumers should never fall for any representation that the attorney general's office partners with private companies to obtain consumer refunds or that our office charges consumers any fees."
The injunction requires Scammer Guard and Esposito to stop all misrepresentations and precludes the company from transferring any assets aside from those transferred in the normal course of business.