Florida · Tax debt relief scams
Tax debt relief scams in Florida
If a non-lawyer took your money in Florida — under the guise of tax debt relief scams — Florida law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Florida
'Tax attorney' pitches from unlicensed firms — Offer in Compromise, IRS negotiation, wage-garnishment fixes — are one of the most common UPL scams. Refunds are recoverable.
Florida's UPL statute: Fla. Stat. § 454.23; The Florida Bar UPL Rules (Ch. 10, R. Regulating Fla. Bar)
Practicing law in Florida without being a member of The Florida Bar is a third-degree felony. The Florida Bar's UPL Department can pursue injunctions, restitution, and criminal referrals.
Penalties in Florida
Third-degree felony — up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, plus civil injunctions and restitution.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Florida's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Florida attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report tax debt relief scams in Florida
- File with The Florida Bar — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Florida attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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