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

‘I earned it’: Kohl’s Cash disappeared from woman’s account

A Brevard County woman spent thousands of dollars at Kohl's to help children in need. Belinda Bintemire said, “Because I feel like every child deserves to have, you know, good shoes and clothes.” But Bintemire turned to Action 9 for results when nearly $1000 in store rewards just disappeared from her account.


‘Disgusting’: Couple feels deceived by home rental listing

Bill Ellison calls it a home of filth. “I saw a rat run by the back door there,” Ellison said as he showed Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal his rental home in Leesburg. Bill Ellison and his wife Theresa were desperate to rent a new place after a fire tore through their other rental home in Eustis. Now, they fear they made a bad decision in haste. The couple rented the home from a company Action 9 has warned consumers about before called Sunbelt LLC.


‘You’re on the hook’: Homeowner charged $12K for unfinished bathroom renovation

Arthur Mueller of Clermont just wanted a bathroom renovation in his home that’s more than 20 years old. “You know, we’re just looking to get it updated, get it modernized,” Mueller said as he showed Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal the bathroom his children use. But after he signed the deal, he claims the company closed before doing any work and now the company handling financing is demanding he pay up.


Pet drug maker adding death, seizures to warning label on popular medication

A pet drug maker is making a big change on their labels for their new arthritis shot after Action 9 found pets getting really sick, even dying after getting the drug. The drug maker Zoetis is now including paralysis and seizures, and even death as possible side effects. It’s a step in the right direction, but some pet owners say it’s still not enough for those who lost a pet.


‘They need to be out of business’: Customers accuse fence company of taking money, not doing work

An Orlando woman turned to Action 9 after she paid more than $2000 for a new fence that was never built, and she couldn’t get her money back. Debbie Hendrickson said, “It’s been going on for several months now through the holidays. I mean, $2,400 is $2,400.” She told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal she spent months trying to get her money back and even filed a lawsuit in small claims court.


Lawmakers to investigate possibility insurance companies used ‘accounting tricks’ to hide profits

State lawmakers are vowing to take a deep dive into Florida's home insurance crisis. This comes after reports that insurance companies were moving billions of dollars to their own affiliate companies while claiming to lose money. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced it in his opening remarks for the legislative session Tuesday. He said the reports show some insurance companies may have been using creative ways to hide their profits.


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.