Attorney General James Uthmeier unveiled the Florida Anti‑Spam Communications Act on September 17, 2026 at the Southwest Focal Point Community Center in Pembroke Pines. The legislation is intended to curb a wave of fraudulent phone calls and text messages that mimic government agencies, banks and utility companies, often delivering counterfeit warrants and official‑looking notices.
State officials have documented a sharp rise in spoofed communications that deceive residents into believing they are dealing with legitimate authorities. These scams typically claim to be from law‑enforcement or financial institutions, pressuring recipients to provide personal information or make payments. The surge prompted the attorney general’s office to seek broader powers to intervene before the messages reach consumers.
The new act gives regulators the authority to target the sources of illegal spam, work with telecommunications carriers to block or trace spoofed numbers, and impose penalties on entities that persist in sending deceptive messages. It also establishes a framework for rapid response when a new fraud pattern emerges, allowing the attorney general’s office to issue alerts and coordinate with law‑enforcement partners.
Uthmeier emphasized that protecting Floridians from these scams is a priority, noting that the deceptive tactics have eroded public confidence in legitimate communications. By addressing the technology that enables number spoofing and by holding offenders accountable, the state aims to reduce the volume of fraudulent outreach and the financial harm it causes.
The legislation arrives after several high‑profile incidents in which residents reported receiving texts that appeared to be official court orders or utility notices, prompting confusion and, in some cases, costly mistakes. Lawmakers hope the act will serve as a deterrent and provide tools to disrupt the operations of scammers who exploit the state's large population and its reliance on mobile communication.
The Florida Anti‑Spam Communications Act is slated for legislative consideration later this year, with the attorney general’s office pledging ongoing public education efforts to help consumers recognize and report suspicious messages.