Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed into law a measure to protect Florida’s veterans from fraud.
He was at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa for the Military Protection Act bill signing ceremony.
The act deters individuals from preying on Florida’s military members and their families with fraudulent schemes by enhancing penalties for offenses under the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The bill provides that a person who willfully uses, or has willfully used, a method, act, or practice directed at a military service member, or the spouse or dependent child of a military service member, is liable for a civil penalty of up to $15,000 for each violation. Additionally, the bill provides that restitution or reimbursement based on a violation against a military service member, or the spouse or dependent child of a military service member has priority in collections over the imposition of civil penalties.
