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

Local Pastor and ‘Prophet’ accused of not paying worker for months

A local woman is questioning the motives of a local pastor who claims to be a prophet. Sarilyn Ramirez turned to Action 9 after she claims the pastor hired her to do work, but then didn’t pay her what she was owed. She had seen Pastor Michael Lattiboudeaire preaching on YouTube and other social media sites.


Florida judge stops MV Realty from enforcing controversial homeowner agreements

A Florida judge issued an injunction against MV Realty. You may remember this case was part of an Action 9 investigation that first launched in 2021. The company was accused of deceiving homeowners into signing 40-year listing agreements on their homes in exchange for upfront payments. The latest development impacts more than 9,300 homeowners in Florida.


‘What are you doing tonight, baby?’: Romance scams are big business

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, people need to know about the dark side of romance that can ruin lives and leave victims heartbroken. Romance scams cost Americans more than a billion dollars in 2023. Romance scams are sophisticated. There are entire networks of scammers, usually overseas, that treat scamming like a business. They find vulnerable people, manipulate them, and often get away with big money.


Tariff Tension: What tariffs could mean for your wallet?

In the weeks after Donald Trump won the election, he started talking about tariffs. “The world's most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariffs. It's my favorite word,” then President-elect Trump said. Now in office once again, President Trump is making good on his promise to increase tariffs which he hopes will force companies to build businesses in America. But some worry, the tax hike on foreign products may force prices to go up for Americans.