Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

Action 9 consumer investigative reporter

Action 9 consumer investigative reporter Jeff Deal joined the Channel 9 Eyewitness News team in 2006. After 17 years covering some of the biggest stories in central Florida for WFTV, Deal was promoted to Action 9 consumer investigator in 2023. He’s just the second investigator to head the Action 9 team since its creation in 1991. Even before he joined Action 9, Deal had a passion for helping consumers. One of his consumer investigations uncovered shocking business practices at a parking lot near Port Canaveral, where the owner was joyriding in customers’ cars while they were away on cruises. The business closed down and the story garnered worldwide attention, earning WFTV the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award. Deal has also been honored with a National Headliner Award and other regional awards during his journalism career. His main priority is to help consumers protect their families and their wallets by shedding light on scams, rip-offs and questionable business practices. Deal and the Action 9 team have already helped consumers recover tens of thousands of dollars, and they continue to work to hold those responsible for the losses accountable. He enjoys life in Central Florida with his wife Beth and their son. As a graduate of Texas Christian University, Jeff is a fan of Horned Frog sports and is now excited to have UCF and TCU in the same conference. If you have a consumer complaint that you would like Deal and the Action 9 team to look into, you can email action9@wftv.com and jeff.deal@wftv.com.

Latest Headlines by Jeff Deal

Investors claim they lost big money with company often touted on social media

Action 9 is looking into a company that's been pushed hard on social media as a great investment. The investigation started after investors from all over the world, including many in central Florida started to believe it’s nothing but a scam. Even some law enforcement agencies are warning about it. A woman on Instagram showed off a new luxury SUV with a red bow wrapped around it. She said, “Guys, look at my gift. LSSC is not all about the car. It’s about unity.” On another video, Action 9 saw a man in a police uniform who said, “Making money in your free time. It’s literally at the push of a button.” He was also talking about a company often referred to as LSSC. That’s short for Lightning Shared Scooter Company.

Back-to-School Shopping: How to find the best deals

With just days to go before heading back to the classroom, many parents and students may still have back-to-school shopping left to get done. Action 9 spoke with parents and experts about how to find the best deals.

Artificial Intelligence could determine your individual price next time you fly

Artificial intelligence could help determine the price you pay for airline tickets next time you fly. It’s possible it may have already happened. Earlier this year, Action 9 looked into how personal information could be used to set your individual price on products you buy at stores. It’s often called surveillance pricing. Now, Delta Airlines is coming under fire for how its embracing AI technology to determine prices.

Businessman known as the ‘Granite Gangster’ heads to trial

A jury was seated Monday in the case of a Volusia County business owner who used the moniker Granite Gangster on social media. Charles Ogden is charged with four counts of grand theft over $20,000, two counts of contracting without a license during an emergency and organized scheme to defraud over $50,000.

Consumers claim local furniture store took their money then closed its doors

A Seminole County furniture store had great online reviews. Andrew Trautmann said, “They sent me a really cool sort of intro pack with lots of samples of different types of leather.” But after he paid thousands of dollars up front for a leather sofa, Trautmann said the company kept delaying his order, then just left him hanging. “Emails, no response. Phone calls went directly to voicemail,” he said.

Action 9 investigates air duct company claiming to have A+ Rating

An Orange County man wanted to get his air ducts cleaned, but he claims after agreeing to a payment plan, the company he hired tricked him into paying nearly a thousand dollars all at once. That customer who asked us to just use his first name, Bill, told Action 9 he found the company using a Google search and said, “Like, they just wanted to take the money and run.” Action 9 also found the company he hired claims to have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, but that isn’t true.

Kia EV problem leaves customer frustrated

Vanessa Salazar of Apopka wanted a larger vehicle to transport her family. She fell in love with the Kia EV9. “We loved it. We thought it felt great,” Salazar told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal. But four months into her lease, it had a problem. It went into the shop in January and hasn’t come back out.

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