Florida Restrictions on Payday Loan Lenders

While payday lending is legal in Florida, it is subject to strict limitations. If you have a problem with a Florida payday lender, you can turn to the state for help. But if you obtained the loan from an out-of-state lender over the Internet or the telephone, the help that Florida can provide may be

Florida Protections for Credit Card Users

As of January 27, 2013, retailers in most states are allowed to impose a surcharge, sometimes referred to as "checkout fees," on purchases you make by credit card.

Florida Ban on Budget Planning Services

Budget planning services, in general, are not allowed in Florida, and have been prohibited since 1959. There are some exceptions to Florida's ban on budget planning services, but they are highly regulated. Any activity that does not fit squarely within an exception is strictly prohibited. (To learn

The Florida Credit Counseling Act: Protections for Consumers

The Credit Counseling Act was enacted to protect consumers using credit counseling services and debt management services from paying exorbitant fees or becoming victims of fraud or unfair business practices. The act severely limits the fees that these services can charge and allows customers to recover

Florida Wage Garnishment Law

Florida law limits the amount that a creditor can take or seize or "garnish" from your wages to repay your debts. The Florida wage garnishment laws (also called wage attachments) generally follow the federal wage garnishment laws but some exemptions are available in Florida which might limit a creditors rights to garnish your wages.

Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act

The Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (CCPA) prohibits both debt collectors and creditors from using certain types of abusive, deceptive, and misleading debt collection tactics. The CCPA supplements the protections provided by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Read on to learn what

Florida Do-Not-Call Laws

Florida maintains its own do-not-call list in addition to the do-not-call registry maintained by the federal government.

Florida Protections for Car Title Loans

Prior to 2000, the average interest rate on car title loans in Florida exceeded 200% per year. In response to this, the Florida legislature passed the Florida Title Loan Act in 2000. The goal of the Act is to protect consumers in financial straits who take out car title or other types of title loans.

Florida's Lemon Law: Defective New Vehicles

Buying a new car or truck usually means not having to worry about breakdowns and repairs. But what do you do if your new vehicle turns out to be a lemon? In Florida, you can turn to the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, otherwise known as the Lemon Law, for help. (To learn about other laws in Florida

Florida Restrictions on Rent-to-Own Contracts

Florida law governs the contents of rent to own contracts. If the contract contains terms which are prohibited under the law, those terms are void and cannot be enforced against you in court. Moreover, anyone who violates the law may be subject to penalties which could include fines and you could recover

Florida Restrictions on Timeshare Resellers

Under Florida law, companies that offer services to assist with timeshare resales and rentals and charge up-front fees for advertising, are called resale service providers. Many operate as telemarketing companies. Florida has enacted strict laws governing their operations and limiting the fees they can

Florida Restrictions on Telemarketers

The telemarketing industry is well known for aggressive sales tactics and deceptive practices. Florida’s Telemarketing Act is a set of laws designed to protect consumers from such practices.

Florida Timeshare Foreclosure and Right to Cancel Laws

If you have purchased or are thinking of purchasing a timeshare in Florida, it’s important to learn the answers to the following questions: How do I cancel a timeshare in Florida? What disclosures are required in a timeshare purchase? What are the timeshare resale laws? If I stop making payments, what