559.78 – Judicial enforcement.
559.78 Judicial enforcement.—In addition to other penalties provided in this part, state attorneys and their assistants are authorized to apply to the court of competent jurisdiction within their respective jurisdictions, upon the sworn affidavit of any person alleging a violation of any of the provisions of this part. Such court shall have jurisdiction, upon hearing and […]
559.554 – Powers and duties of the commission and office.
559.554 Powers and duties of the commission and office.— (1) The office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of this part. (2) The commission may adopt rules to administer this part, including rules: (a) Requiring electronic submission of forms, documents, and fees required by this part. (b) Establishing time periods during which a consumer collection agency is barred from […]
559.785 – Criminal penalty.
559.785 Criminal penalty.—It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person not exempt from registering as provided in this part to engage in collecting consumer debts in this state without first registering with the office, or to register or attempt to register by means […]
559.5541 – Examinations and investigations.
559.5541 Examinations and investigations.— (1) Notwithstanding s. 559.725(4), the office may, without advance notice, conduct examinations and investigations, within or outside this state, to determine whether a person has violated this part or related rules. For purposes of this section, the office may examine the books, accounts, records, and other documents or matters of any person subject […]
559.79 – Applications for license or renewal.
559.79 Applications for license or renewal.— (1) Each application for a license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall include a statement showing the name, address, and social security number of each person who owns 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock or equity interest in the licensed activity and the name, address, […]
559.555 – Registration of consumer collection agencies; procedure.
559.555 Registration of consumer collection agencies; procedure.— (1) A person who acts as a consumer collection agency must be registered in accordance with this section. (2) In order to apply for a consumer collection agency registration, an applicant must: (a) Submit a completed application form as prescribed by rule of the commission. (b) Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $200. […]
559.791 – False swearing on application; penalties.
559.791 False swearing on application; penalties.—Any license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation which is issued or renewed in response to an application upon which the person signing under oath or affirmation has falsely sworn to a material statement, including, but not limited to, the names and addresses of the owners or managers […]
559.5551 – Requirements of registrants.
559.5551 Requirements of registrants.—A registrant under this part shall report to the office in a manner prescribed by rule of the commission: (1) A conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime or administrative violation that involves fraud, dishonesty, breach of trust, money laundering, or any other act of moral turpitude, in […]
559.5556 – Maintenance of records.
559.5556 Maintenance of records.— (1) Each registered consumer collection agency shall maintain, at the principal place of business designated on the registration, all books, accounts, records, and documents necessary to determine the registrant’s compliance with this part. (2) The office may authorize the maintenance of records at a location other than a principal place of business. The office […]
559.542 – Legislative intent.
559.542 Legislative intent.—The Legislature finds that commercial collection practices in this state are not governed by the federal and state laws relating to the collection of consumer claims and that current criminal laws are inadequate to deal with certain unlawful and fraudulent activities specifically involving the collection of commercial claims in this state. Under such circumstances, […]