Sep 25 79 Views View Comments
Attorney General Bondi Files Complaint to Thwart Locksmith Scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.Attorney General Pam Bondi this week filed a complaint against an individual who used the names and reputations of legitimate Florida locksmith companies to divert customers and, in many instances, provide subpar services. Broward County resident, David Merkatz, previously pleaded guilty to six counts of petit theft for his role in a scheme that used the names, websites and logos of reputable Florida locksmith companies to funnel business to Merkatzs, often under-qualified, locksmiths.
To siphon business from competitors, Merkatz placed deceptive ads on the internet and in telephone directories. In some instances, Merkatz copied locksmith companies advertising by simply adding a letter to a companys internet domain name or duplicating a companys online ad with his phone number.
When Merkatz received business from his deceptive ads, he dispatched locksmiths that were often self-taught and performed substandard work. On two separate occasions, the Palm Beach Police Department arrested two of Merkatzs locksmiths that performed services at private residences. The locksmiths were charged with burglary and obtaining property by deception. As a result of further investigation by the Palm Beach Police Department, the State Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit filed a criminal information against Merkatz in the circuit court to which Merkatz has pleaded guilty.
The civil complaint, filed by Attorney General Bondis office, seeks to ban Merkatz entirely from advertising, marketing, offering, providing, referring or selling locksmith services or other building trade services to Florida consumers and to impose a $60,000 civil penalty.
Contact:
Whitney Ray
Phone: 850.245.0150
[email protected]
David MerkatzLocksmithpam bondi
http://capitalsoup.com/2015/09/25/attorney-general-bondi-files-complaint-to-thwart-locksmith-scheme/
Attorney General Bondi Files Complaint to Thwart Locksmith Scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.Attorney General Pam Bondi this week filed a complaint against an individual who used the names and reputations of legitimate Florida locksmith companies to divert customers and, in many instances, provide subpar services. Broward County resident, David Merkatz, previously pleaded guilty to six counts of petit theft for his role in a scheme that used the names, websites and logos of reputable Florida locksmith companies to funnel business to Merkatzs, often under-qualified, locksmiths.
To siphon business from competitors, Merkatz placed deceptive ads on the internet and in telephone directories. In some instances, Merkatz copied locksmith companies advertising by simply adding a letter to a companys internet domain name or duplicating a companys online ad with his phone number.
When Merkatz received business from his deceptive ads, he dispatched locksmiths that were often self-taught and performed substandard work. On two separate occasions, the Palm Beach Police Department arrested two of Merkatzs locksmiths that performed services at private residences. The locksmiths were charged with burglary and obtaining property by deception. As a result of further investigation by the Palm Beach Police Department, the State Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit filed a criminal information against Merkatz in the circuit court to which Merkatz has pleaded guilty.
The civil complaint, filed by Attorney General Bondis office, seeks to ban Merkatz entirely from advertising, marketing, offering, providing, referring or selling locksmith services or other building trade services to Florida consumers and to impose a $60,000 civil penalty.
Contact:
Whitney Ray
Phone: 850.245.0150
[email protected]
David MerkatzLocksmithpam bondi
http://capitalsoup.com/2015/09/25/attorney-general-bondi-files-complaint-to-thwart-locksmith-scheme/