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| Florida - Department of Financial Services |
In 1998, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment combining the offices of the state treasurer, who oversees the Department of Insurance and also serves as the state fire marshal, and the comptroller, who also serves as the head of the Department of Banking & Finance. Beginning January 7, 2003, the duties and responsibilities of both departments fall under the new Department of Financial Services.
Use the attached link to access the official website of the Florida department of financial services.
http://www.fldfs.com/
Through the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), state-chartered financial institutions are licensed, examined and regulated to ensure that private funds invested in Florida's state-chartered financial institutions are protected from potential loss due to failure or insolvency. OFR has regulatory authority over state-chartered commercial banks, credit unions, savings associations, non-deposit trust companies, international banking agencies, representative offices and administrative offices. Nationally or federally chartered financial institutions are chartered and regulated by various agencies of the federal government and OFR does not have regulatory authority over those entities.
OFR processes all applications for new banks, savings associations, foreign banks, credit unions and trust companies. Applications for acquisitions, mergers, cross-industry conversions, changes of control, requests for trust powers and branches are also processed by OFR.
OFR is also responsible for non-regulatory activities, including technical staff training, all budgetary, purchasing and revenue issues, drafting legislation and rules, monitoring federal legislative initiatives, maintaining analytical and statistical information, preparing special research projects, and office automation.
Contact and Location Information
General Questions: (850) 413-3100
GET LEAN LINE
1-800-GET LEAN (438-5326) answers calls from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., about waste, fraud and abuse in state government, and accepts suggestions on how the state can save money. You can leave a message during non-working hours. Callers can remain anonymous. Names are kept confidential, when given. Banking: (850) 410-9111
CONSUMER HOTLINE
1-800-848-3792 (Florida only) takes questions and complaints from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday on businesses regulated by the Divisions of Banking, Finance, and Securities, and on matters of investigatory interest to the Office of Financial Investigations.
DIVISION CONTACTS
Banking: (850) 410-9111
Finance: (850) 410-9805
Securities: (850) 410-9805
For a specific person or bureau, see 411 DIRECT
Mailing Address:
Florida Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300
(850) 413-3100
Mortgage Brokers and Lenders
Mortgage brokers and lenders in Florida are regulated by the Department of Financial Services, office of Financial Regulation. The following entities are also regulated by this office.
- Collection Agencies
- Consumer Finance Companies
- Money Transmitters
- Funds Transmitters
- Payment Instrument Issuers
- Check Cashers
- Foreign Currency Exchangers
- Deferred Presentment Providers
- Certified capital companies
- Title Loan Companies
- Retail Installment Sales
- Retail Installment Seller
- Sales Finance Company
- Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Seller
- Home Improvement Finance Seller
- Securities Firm/ Agencies
- Broker/Dealers
- Investment Advisers
Use the attached link to access their website for more current information.
http://www.fldfs.com/
Identity Theft
When it comes to identity theft, the old adage applies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The following are useful tips and information for consumers to avoid identity theft:
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Don’t give out any personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call;
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If you don’t get your bills in the mail, be suspicious;
- Be cautious about where you leave your information. Think of your bills as cash, don’t leave them lying around;
- Guard your mail from theft. Be vigilant about checking your mail promptly after it has been delivered. Don’t let it pile up while you are away;
- Watch what you throw away. What may be garbage to you can be stolen treasure to an identity thief;
- Travel light. Don’t carry more checks or credit cards than you need. That will minimize the damage if your wallet is lost or stolen; and
- Check your credit report on a regular basis. Order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year and make sure that the information they have is correct.
- The agencies are:
- Experian 1-800-397-3742
- Equifax 1-800-525-6285
- Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
If a consumer is a victim of Identity theft, he/she should:
- Contact creditors by phone and by certified mail;
- Stop payment on checks and close bank accounts;
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and your local postal inspector;
- File a report with your local police department; and
- Call the FTC’s fraud hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT
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