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AG Moody Shuts Down Fake Websites Scamming SunPass Users

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Standing with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Transportation at a toll plaza in Orlando today, Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about a concerning new smishing scam targeting drivers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to individuals claiming unpaid toll fees and providing links to settle the alleged debts. However, these links are malicious and designed to steal victims’ money. These scams are also being seen targeting E-ZPass users. Attorney General Moody’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, working with FDLE, recently shut down 10 imposter websites.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Cybercriminals are sending text messages to thousands of unsuspecting drivers in the hopes that some of them will be tricked into paying a toll fee for a violation that never occurred. While this smishing scam is happening across the nation, our Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit worked closely with FDLE to shut down 10 fraudulent sites designed to mimic the official SunPass website and steal payments from drivers who received their fake text messages.”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard said, “FDLE agents believe there could be hundreds of victims in Florida who received a fraudulent text message saying they owed money to SunPass. FDLE’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit was able to quickly seize the fraudulent websites, stopping the victimization. Thanks to Attorney General Ashley Moody, FDLE has the investigative resources and expertise to move quickly when it matters most.”

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., said, “The Florida Department of Transportation and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise place our customer’s privacy and security at the utmost importance. With that at our core focus, we are grateful for Attorney General Moody’s immediate response to stop this scam in its tracks and protect Floridians from these criminals attempting to manipulate customers and gain access to their sensitive information. FDOT proudly stands alongside the Attorney General’s office and our law enforcement partners as we continue to go to bat for the people of Florida.”

Below is an example of the unpaid toll scam text message:

While the authentic Sun Pass web address is SunPass.com, the smishing messages direct targets to fraudulent URLs set up to mimic the official sight. Attorney General Moody’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit recently shut down 10 of these fraudulent sites listed below:

  • sunpass-service.com
  • sunpass-help.com
  • sunpass-online.com
  • sunpass-florida.com
  • sunpass-toll.com
  • sunpass-tolls.com
  • sunpass-express.com
  • service-sunpass.com
  • tolls-sunpass.com
  • web-sunpass.com

Florida is particularly susceptible to this emerging threat as it is home to the most toll roads of any state in the nation—more than 700 miles. These roads are necessary to help the 22 million Florida residents and 130 million Florida visitors get to destinations safely and on time.

Attorney General Moody offers the following tips to Floridians to avoid toll smishing scams:

  • Avoid Clicking Links: Refrain from clicking on any links provided in unsolicited messages, especially those claiming to be from SunPass, E-ZPass or FDOT;
  • Verify the Source: Independently confirm the information by contacting FDOT or SunPass using contact information found on an official organization’s website;
  • Check Account Status: Regularly check an online toll account to add an extra layer of protection;
  • Protect Personal Information: Do not provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited messages, emails or phone calls; and
  • Register Phone Number with Do Not Call List: To help block robocalls and spam text messages, register phone numbers at DoNotCall.gov.

To report suspicious activity related to SunPass or E-ZPass, Floridians can file complaints at FDLE’s Report a Cybercrime webpage.

To view other Consumer Alerts, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/Consumer Alert.

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North Florida News

Representative Adam Anderson to Present $5 Million to FSU Health at Pediatric Rare Disease Symposium

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida State University’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU Health will host the Pediatric Rare Disease Symposium on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern, bringing together the nation’s leading experts in pediatric rare disease research. The symposium aims to foster collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to advance treatment and research for pediatric rare diseases.

State Representative Adam Anderson will kick off the event with special opening remarks, where he will present a $5 million funding check to support the Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU Health.

Florida State University is at the forefront of pediatric rare disease research. This symposium will be the catalyst for a collaborative nationwide effort, ensuring that institutions share the best knowledge and practices to bring new cures and hope to millions of children and their families,” said Rep. Anderson.

Other highlights of the event include:

  • Keynote address by Dr. Terence R. Flotte, Executive Deputy Chancellor and Provost at UMass Chan Medical School
  • Presentations from experts representing NIH, Harvard, Stanford, University of Florida, University of Miami, and Nicklaus Children’s Health System
  • Industry roundtable focusing on the intersection of industry, healthcare, and academia in advancing pediatric rare disease research

What to Bring:

  • Relevant research materials or presentations
  • Questions for the panelists and speakers

Note: The symposium is focused exclusively on pediatric rare disease research. For more information or to register, visit med.fsu.edu/iprd/.

FSUHealth, RareDiseaseResearch, PediatricCare, MedicalBreakthroughs, FSUSymposium

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North Florida News

Harris Campaign to Launch Historic Mobilization Blitz in Florida Panhandle

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Harris for President campaign is set to kick off its largest mobilization effort to date in the Florida Panhandle, capitalizing on the surge of grassroots energy across the state. This massive weekend of action, marking 100 days until the general election, comes just days after Vice President Kamala Harris secured her position as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

Starting tomorrow, the campaign will engage thousands of supporters through over 36 events statewide, including canvass launches, press events, and appearances by notable Democratic leaders such as Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Florida House Representative and Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw, and Florida House Representative Kevin Chambliss.

Key Points:

  • Mass Mobilization: More than 36 events will take place across Florida, including the Florida Panhandle.
  • High-Profile Support: Democratic leaders like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sean Shaw will participate.
  • Grassroots Energy: Over 7,000 organic volunteer signups have been recorded.
  • Campaign Goals: Harris is focusing on strengthening democracy, protecting reproductive freedom, and ensuring economic opportunities for all.
  • Opposition Stance: The campaign contrasts Harris’s vision with Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda, which they claim would threaten rights and hurt the middle class.

The weekend’s events, open to media, include the Harris for President – 100 Days of Action Weekend Black Men’s Roundtable in Hillsborough County on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST.

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North Florida News

Rep. Tant: HB 7063 Goes into Effect on Monday, July 1

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Monday, July 1st, HB 7063, Anti-human Trafficking will take effect and officially become law.

Part of this bill, Section 7, was worked in by Representative Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) to create new language concerning contracts between governmental and nongovernmental entities in Florida. This language ensures that any nongovernmental entity wanting to do business with a governmental entity in Florida must confirm under penalty of perjury that they do “not use coercion for labor or services.”

“Exposing more crimes in which people were trafficked will ultimately lead to a safer community for everyone,” says Representative Tant. “I was glad to see this language included in HB 7063 and I am hopeful for the changes it will bring.”

Brought forward by Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, this same language was adopted by Leon County in 2021 and was brought before members of the Legislature this session. “Thanks to Representative Allison Tant, it is now harder for human traffickers to operate in Florida,” said Commissioner Minor. “With this new policy becoming law, we’re telling unscrupulous organizations which profit from coerced labor that they cannot do business with our state and local governments. Not only does it protect vulnerable workers from human trafficking, but it also supports the overwhelming number of Florida businesses that conduct business honestly and pay their employees fairly. We’re grateful to Rep. Tant for her leadership in the legislature and for working to make this a reality.”

Robin Hassler Thompson, Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center also helped advocate for this bill alongside Commissioner Minor. “Everyone in our community has a role in ending sex and labor trafficking. This bill goes a long way to making sure that local taxpayer dollars do not end up in the hands of human traffickers,” said Ms. Thompson. “The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center is extremely grateful to Representative Allison Tant for standing with human trafficking survivors and being their advocate in the Florida Legislature.”

This bill does many other things including extending the statutory authorization for the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking and ensuring that the hotline number is included on human trafficking signs.

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