(TAMPA, Fla.)- New federal reports show that fraudsters are targeting minority communities to take advantage of consumers’ lack of information, their need for additional income or credit, or their tendency to use certain types of financial products. In some cases, scam artists are using fraudulent auto dealerships, inmate services, credit products, and government impersonation.
In an effort to understand the disparities in fraud and the relief that occur within different communities of color to combat the unfair and deceptive practices, the executive director and key administrators with Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) have been invited to participate as a panelist at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) roundtable briefing on Thursday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Wellswood Civic Center, 4806 Wishart Blvd., in Tampa.
“I was contacted by the Federal Trade Commission’s Southeast Region Office in Atlanta in early March, which focuses on promoting consumer protection through law enforcement and outreach," said Jaffe Pickett, executive director and chief executive officer for FRLS. "This partnership is extremely important to our service areas that have seen a high rate of fraud after the coronavirus pandemic and Hurricane Ian, specially low-income and vulnerable communities, and communities of color."
“FRLS is thrilled to work with the FTC Office of Consumer Protection on planning a critical community outreach and education event focusing on raising awareness about fraud impacting communities of color," Pickett added. "This presented an excellent opportunity since so many people remain unaware of fraudulent consumer practices and the free legal aid available to assist them if they are victims of fraud and consumer abuse.”
In recent months, both the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) examined the connection between minority populations and consumer issues. Findings revealed that there are unfair and deceptive practices have unique and disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and that more needs to be done to protect these communities from fraud.
Pickett said, “As a panelist, I will provide information on fraud and abuse impacting victims of crime, handled under our Victims of Crime Unit, which has indicated increased reports of abuse."
FRLS Migrant Farmworker’s Unit, which is federally funded and tasked with the opportunity to serve migrant farmworkers statewide, will provide testimony and information on labor trafficking at the event.
“In August, 2020, during the pandemic, we expanded our Migrant Unit to aid frontline workers and opened Florida’s first Migrant Farmworker’s Helpline as a part of our Hotline Services," she said. "Farmworker were then able to receive services, especially in rural areas. FRLS also re-established our Immokalee satellite office as the statewide headquarters of FRLS' Migrant Farmworker outreach and legal aid.”
About Florida Rural Legal Services:
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. was founded in 1966 as a private, non-profit corporation. FRLS provides free civil legal assistance to indigent families and low-income people in 14 South Central Florida counties. Our mission is to empower low-income individuals, groups, and communities by providing them with access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy.