Online Purchase Scams in Sarasota: How Florida Law Protects Consumers

You found what looked like a great deal online. You paid the price and waited for your package to arrive, but it never came. Or it did, but was nothing like advertised. You then try to contact the seller, only to find they’ve disappeared. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-frequent scenario that costs Sarasota residents significant sums of money.

Online purchase scams are among the most common forms of consumer fraud, but Florida law provides legal options. Our experienced Sarasota consumer fraud lawyer explains common ways online fraud happens and your rights in filing a claim.

Online Schemes That Cost Sarasota Residents

Florida ranks among the worst states in the country for online fraud. According to the Consumer Federation of America, these cases cost unsuspecting Florida consumers nearly $8 billion per year.

Online purchase scams fuel a significant portion of those numbers. Among the most common schemes are:

• Sellers who collect payment for goods that are never shipped or delivered.
• Counterfeit or misrepresented products that bear no resemblance to the advertised version.
• Bait-and-switch tactics, substituting listed products for items of lower value.
• Fake storefronts or websites designed to look like legitimate retailers.
• Sellers who vanish after payment and become unreachable through any channel.

If you fell victim to any of the above or other scams, you may be entitled to file a civil claim under Florida law.

How Sarasota Residents Can Fight Back Against Deceptive Sellers

The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), found in Chapter 501 of the Florida Statutes, prohibits unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable trade practices in commerce. A successful FDUTPA claim allows you to recover not only your actual damages, but also legal fees and court costs as well.

Beyond FDUTPA, Section 817 of the Florida Statutes provides additional options when a seller intentionally misrepresents what they are selling. Depending on the facts, you may have grounds to pursue:

• A chargeback through your credit card company.
• A civil lawsuit for common law fraud if the seller made knowingly false representations to induce your purchase.
• A breach of contract claim if there was a written or implied agreement and the seller failed to deliver.
• A complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, which enforces FDUTPA and investigates patterns of fraudulent conduct.

Screenshots, order confirmations, payment records, and communications with the seller are vital evidence that can help protect your rights in a Sarasota consumer fraud claim.

Request a Consultation With Our Experienced Sarasota Consumer Fraud Lawyer

Online scams leave victims feeling frustrated and powerless. Fortunately, Florida law gives Sarasota consumers options for holding sellers accountable and recouping their losses.

At Suncoast Civil Law, we help clients throughout the Central Gulf Coast pursue claims against deceptive sellers and businesses. With over 50 years of combined experience, our team knows how to build a strong case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Take the first step by calling or contacting our experienced Sarasota consumer fraud lawyer online. Request a consultation today.

Sources:

consumerfed.org/press_release/americans-estimated-to-lose-119-billion-annually-to-online-scams/

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/Chapter501/All https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/Chapter817/PART_I