Warning from South Florida law enforcement: If you receive an offer in the mail that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Right now, there is a secret shopper scheme circulating around Broward and Palm Beach Counties. You could receive a letter in the mail, asking you to be part of a practice to test out customer service at money-wiring services. The letter could be accompanied by a check for almost $3,000.

If you get any type of offer like this in the mail, be skeptical. You can call local authorities and report the matter. For more information about the current scheme, please see the full story on the Sun Sentinel’s website here.

When a pantry staple such as peanut butter is recalled, it can cause a lot of confusion as to what is safe and what is not safe. From dog biscuits to ice cream, almost all kinds of food with peanut butter are cause for speculation and caution right now. The contaminated products can cause salmonella poisoning, which can be deadly.

To protect your children and families, we encourage you to review the following information related to the peanut butter product recalls, provided by the Food and Drug Administration. Please click here for a complete list of recalled products.

Should you have any additional questions, please contact our personal injury attorneys in Boca Raton and Broward County, Florida. You can visit our website at www.balkanpatterson.com.

It’s already a law in a number of states, but the National Safety Council wants to create a nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones while driving. It’s no secret that talking, or even worse - texting - while driving is extremely dangerous and greatly increases the likelihood of an auto, motor vehicle or truck accident. When a driver is talking or texting, they cannot devote their full attention to the road and other drivers around them.

States like New York, New Jersey and California require that drivers use a “hands-free” set up when talking on their cell and driving. Other states have outlawed texting while driving, including Louisiana and Minnesota. With the heavy traffic and sheer number of drivers in Florida, the chances of an accident are already high, and using a cell phone while driving only increases that risk.

To view the whole story, please click here. For more information on safe driving tips, please visit our website at www.balkanpatterson.com. Our attorneys encourage you to use safe driving techniques while behind the wheel. For a complete list of states that have laws against cell phone use while driving, please visit the Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s website here.

In an effort to balance the state budget of Florida, lawmakers are raising the cost of traffic tickets. The state legislature is meeting in a special session, and all traffic tickets will increase by $10. All speeding tickets will be bumped up an additional $25. Additionally, speeders will no longer get a break on their tickets by taking a driver’s education course, as was allowed in the past. To view the whole story in the Sun Sentinel, click here.

The attorneys of Balkan & Patterson, LLP, encourage all drivers to obey speed limits and use caution when behind the wheel. Prevention is key when it comes to protecting our families and keeping everyone on the roads safe! For more information, visit our website, www.balkanpatterson.com.

A new year is upon us, and with it comes new opportunities for all - even scammers who will try to make a quick buck off honest consumers. It’s best to be wary of before you make any big purchases or buy in to any deals that sound “too good to be true” - chances are they probably are.

For some good tips on protecting yourself, your credit and your family, take a look at the following article on smart consumer tips, posted on www.fosters.com.

If you have any questions about consumer fraud or securities/investment fraud, please contact the attorneys of Balkan & Patterson, LLP. We are happy to help and answer any questions you may have. Visit us online at www.balkanpatterson.com.