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

Action 9 investigates delayed pool projects; company vows to finish jobs

“All I get is excuses, excuses, excuses next week, next week,” said Ronnie Pagan nearly two years after trying to get a pool in his backyard. At the time, Poinciana homeowner was left with a stinky muck-filled hole in the ground. He expected the job would have the job done in just a few months, but was beginning to doubt if he would ever get the backyard oasis he hoped for. After he contacted Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal, the pool company went back to and it appears they are completing the job.

Customers billed thousands of dollars for loans on work that was never done

It takes only seconds on an iPad for a contractor or medical provider to sign you up to pay the bill using a finance company called Momnt. Generally, that money goes directly to the merchant and you never touch it, but you could still be stuck owing money you never actually saw even if the work never gets done.

Orlando man gets surprise insurance bill

An Orlando man turned to Action 9 after getting a what he thought was a suspicious letter in the mail letting him know he owes money for an accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy. The problem is he didn’t remember ever signing up for that kind of insurance and he wasn’t about to send the company any money. In fact, he initially thought someone was trying to trick him into handing over banking and credit card information. Action 9 Consumer Investigator looked into it and found the letter is from a real company

Local man frustrated trying to cancel extended warranty

A local man claims he felt pressured into spending thousands of dollars for an extended warranty on his truck, then ran into all kinds of problems when he tried to cancel it. Even though he believes he took all the right steps to cancel, he turned to Action 9 when he still couldn’t get his money back.

Homeowners say Central Florida roofing company took thousands for new roofs, then disappeared

Several Central Florida homeowners say they paid Florida Premier Roofing tens of thousands of dollars upfront for roof replacements that never happened. After months of unanswered calls and unfinished projects, customers were left with damaged roofs and financial losses. The Better Business Bureau revoked the company's accreditation, the business has filed for bankruptcy, and Palm Bay police have launched an active investigation into the complaints.

Would-be homebuyers fight for refunds

Would-be homebuyers looking to get a great deal claim an online auction site is collecting large deposits then holding the money for months even after the company promised a refund. “A lot of people are very frustrated,” said Brij Gakhar of Winter Springs. The website Federa.com claims to handle online auctions, many of them on foreclosure properties. To bid you have put deposits down. Often the required deposits are $10,000 or more.

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