Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Briefing
As your Attorney General, one of my responsibilities is to enforce Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. This week, my Consumer Protection Division obtained an order granting a temporary injunction and asset freeze against Service Star Enterprise Inc., a Fort Myers-based air conditioning company, and its owners, Salvatore Tavolacci Jr. and Darrielle Tavolacci. Based on complaints received by my office, Service Star often made unnecessary and excessive repairs, used intimidating sales practices, failed to honor requests for cancellation and used contracts that do not comply with Florida law. In some cases, they demanded payment in cash from senior citizens.
Additionally, the Court found sufficient evidence that technicians coerced senior citizens into paying cash for excessive and unnecessary repairs and replacements of their air conditioning units. The Court noted that, in some cases, technicians drove elderly customers to the bank, or berated them on the cell phone in an attempt to compel them to withdraw thousands of dollars to pay for services.
The judge's order temporarily prohibits Service Star and its owners from engaging in air conditioning repair, requires them to preserve computer files and financial statements, and prohibits them from hiding or disposing of assets that could be used to repay affected consumers.
Abusing customers, including senior citizens, who trust you with their money to do an honest job is deplorable. My office will continue to pursue companies that scam customers and violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
As your Attorney General, one of my responsibilities is to enforce Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. This week, my Consumer Protection Division obtained an order granting a temporary injunction and asset freeze against Service Star Enterprise Inc., a Fort Myers-based air conditioning company, and its owners, Salvatore Tavolacci Jr. and Darrielle Tavolacci. Based on complaints received by my office, Service Star often made unnecessary and excessive repairs, used intimidating sales practices, failed to honor requests for cancellation and used contracts that do not comply with Florida law. In some cases, they demanded payment in cash from senior citizens.
Additionally, the Court found sufficient evidence that technicians coerced senior citizens into paying cash for excessive and unnecessary repairs and replacements of their air conditioning units. The Court noted that, in some cases, technicians drove elderly customers to the bank, or berated them on the cell phone in an attempt to compel them to withdraw thousands of dollars to pay for services.
The judge's order temporarily prohibits Service Star and its owners from engaging in air conditioning repair, requires them to preserve computer files and financial statements, and prohibits them from hiding or disposing of assets that could be used to repay affected consumers.
Abusing customers, including senior citizens, who trust you with their money to do an honest job is deplorable. My office will continue to pursue companies that scam customers and violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.