{"id":23715,"date":"2026-02-27T15:50:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=23715"},"modified":"2026-03-03T08:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:29:40","slug":"scammed-out-of-money-consumer-protection-office-recovers-more-than-208000-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2026\/02\/scammed-out-of-money-consumer-protection-office-recovers-more-than-208000-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Scammed Out of Money? Consumer Protection Office Recovers More Than $208,000 in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting scammed by a dishonest business can leave residents with a pounding headache, and a major hole in their bank account. Fortunately, Orange County has a resource to help ease the financial and emotional stress. In 2025, Orange County\u2019s Consumer Protection Office<\/a> recovered a total of $208,644.44 to customers who lost money due to fraudulent or unfair business practices.<\/p>\n

As the County recognizes National Consumer Protection Month in March, it\u2019s important for residents to know their options if they fall victim to a scam.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast fiscal year, we received 1,255 complaints,\u201d said Steven Bulinski, Program Supervisor for the Consumer Protection Office. \u201cMany complaints involve business activities like retail sales, which may not be regulated, so we\u2019ll forward a copy of the complaint to the business and ask them to respond. By contacting the business and bringing both parties together, we are often able to help resolve the consumer\u2019s complaint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Functions of Orange County\u2019s Consumer Protection Office include education and community outreach, dispute resolution for non-regulated business activities, and enforcement of Orange County\u2019s trespass towing ordinance. Trespass towing refers to the removal of vehicles from private property without the owner\u2019s consent, such as store parking lots or apartment complexes. While Consumer Protection is often able to help resolve disputes, the office does not provide legal advice, represent consumers in legal actions, or force a business to provide a specific resolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsumers don\u2019t always know where to submit their complaint, so it can be difficult,\u201d said Bulinski. \u201cWe determine if it\u2019s a county, state, or federal issue, and we work in partnership with state offices, so if a consumer files a complaint with our office, we get it to the proper place.\u201d<\/p>\n

A major goal of the office is proactive consumer education. Workshops and seminars are offered to teach residents how to monitor bank accounts for suspicious activity, spot or avoid identity theft, and recognize scam emails and phone calls.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s much easier to prevent something than to try and repair things after the damage has been done,\u201d added Bulinski. \u201cAs an Orange County service, we want to make sure we protect all our residents and their finances. We work to maintain a good, happy, healthy consumer environment for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to request a Speaker or File a Complaint<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Consumer Protection Office offers speakers for meetings and events on topics including:<\/p>\n