Florida AG Ashley Moody sues "fake" stimulus check advertisers

Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody is putting her foot down on the shady and deceptive way some businesses are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic for fiscal gain.

Moody’s Consumer Protection Division has filed a lawsuit and motion for a temporary injunction against Traffic Jam Events, LLC and it’s owner David J. Jeansone for allegedly sending out tens of thousands of letters with Monopoly-style fake federal stimulus $3,000 checks to lure Floridians into attending an automobile tent sale.

The checks look as if the government has made that money available to the recipients of the checks.

The automobile that supplied the cars for sale and hired the advertising company, MK Automotive, Inc., is “cooperating with the investigation and has entered an assurance of voluntary compliance with the Attorney General’s Office,” according to Moody’s office      

 “This type of deceptive marketing is completely unacceptable and is even more outrageous during these challenging times,” stated Moody in a press release “These marketing ploys prey on people’s desperate anticipation of stimulus assistance and falsely suggest that there is government stimulus funding for auto purchases. These misleading practices will not be tolerated, and if anyone tries to take advantage of this crisis and the legitimate financial assistance available for those in need, my office will hold you accountable.”

According to the press release, “MK Automotive and its owner are cooperating with the investigation and have entered an assurance of voluntary compliance, agreeing to cease using Traffic Jam Events in conjunction with the sale of its automobiles, and to pay $10,000 toward consumer restitution and a $1,000 civil pen.”

This shady practice is common, especially when it comes to personal loan advertisements. We have all received those debt relief and debt consolidation fake checks.