Unfair Billing Practices in Sarasota: How Florida Law Protects Consumers

It’s beyond frustrating when a business charges you more than agreed, adds undisclosed fees, or keeps billing you after you canceled a service. When you try to resolve it and get nowhere, disputing the charge with your bank and moving on may seem like the only option.

Fortunately, Florida law gives consumers additional options. Our experienced Sarasota consumer fraud lawyer explains common types of unfair billing practices and your rights to compensation for your losses.

What Counts as an Unfair Billing Practice Under Florida Law

Sarasota consumers have significant protections under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). It prohibits Florida businesses from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable practices in any commercial transaction. Common types of deceptive billing practices that commonly give rise to FDUTPA claims include:

• Making it unreasonably difficult to cancel subscription payments or enroll customers in recurring billing without clear disclosure.
• Charging fees or add-ons that were not clearly disclosed before the transaction was completed.
• Billing for products or services that were never delivered or did not match what was promised.
• Using confusing contract language to obscure price increases or automatic renewals.
• Continuing to charge a customer after a cancellation request was made and confirmed.
• Adding unauthorized charges to a phone bill or account, which the Federal Trade Commission calls “cramming.”

To succeed on an FDUTPA claim, a consumer must show that the business engaged in a deceptive or unfair practice, that the practice caused the harm, and that actual damages resulted.

How Sarasota Consumers Can Dispute Charges and Recover Losses

When a company engages in unfair billing practices, the first step is to send a formal written dispute letter, along with evidence that supports your claim. This may be enough to resolve the issue and provide a clear record if the matter escalates.

When informal steps don’t work, FDUTPA gives consumers the right to pursue a civil claim. Legal remedies available include:

• Recovery of actual damages, meaning the financial loss caused directly by the billing practice.
• Injunctive relief, which stops the business from continuing the deceptive conduct.
• Payment of legal fees and court costs if the consumer prevails.
• A class action lawsuit allows affected individuals to pool resources and pursue the claim together.

Preserving evidence is critical from the start. This includes contracts, billing statements, cancellation confirmations, emails, and any other records related to the transaction.

Contact Our Experienced Sarasota Consumer Fraud Lawyer

Unfair billing practices cost Sarasota consumers real money, and the businesses responsible count on most people simply absorbing the loss and moving on. At Suncoast Civil Law, we help you hold those businesses accountable.

We have extensive knowledge of how the Florida Statutes apply in these cases, and have spent decades protecting the rights of consumers throughout the Central Gulf Coast and pursuing claims under Florida consumer protection law. Our team reviews the facts of your situation and helps you determine the most effective path to recovering what you are owed. Contact our experienced Sarasota consumer fraud lawyer and request a consultation today.

Sources:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/Chapter501/All

ftc.gov/news-events/topics/mobile-cramming