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 do believe it is a money grab’: National Retail Federation weighs in on business website lawsuits

Action 9 is continuing to investigate the lawsuits targeting business over the accessibility of their websites. Earlier this month, our team showed thousands of businesses across the country have been hit with lawsuits alleging their websites don't meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Now, we're taking a close look at the difficulty facing the blind, how hard it is for business to comply and at a stronger push for changes in the law. The National Retail Federation, which represents businesses, is concerned about the lawsuits. It says the businesses want to comply to better serve the blind, but the way the businesses are getting hit with the lawsuits without a chance to correct the problems first isn’t fair.

Central Florida homeowner faces reverse mortgage nightmare

A retired Volusia County man thought his home was paid off but has now learned he could lose it. “The dog and I will be homeless. You know? That’s what I’m looking at right now,” said Bill Tavernier. Tavernier has been living in the Deltona home for nearly 20-years after moving in to take care of his aging mother. His mom, Theresa, added him to the deed in 2007 then passed away in 2013. Ever since then, he’s continued to live in the home. All that time he didn’t know his mom had a reverse mortgage on the home until he got hit with a lawsuit by the federal government to take the home away.

Businesses Blindsided: Thousands sued for ADA violations on their websites

“It said that we were indeed being sued five days before Christmas,” said Ajeeta Khanna. The Orlando flower shop owner was recalling the moment she found out her business had been hit with a lawsuit in late 2024. She said it was a crippling lawsuit that alleged the company website wasn’t in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. And Action 9 found thousands of businesses across the country may have been blindsided by similar lawsuits. Businesses large and small across central Florida have been targeted with these types of ADA lawsuits including Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Fun Spot. Any business with a website could be targeted by this type of lawsuit and experts tell Action 9 it’s nearly impossible to be 100% compliant with the ADA requirements.

Water bottle spill that damaged electric car still not settled

After Action 9 first exposed in November the water spill that sparked a $12,000 car repair bill, the owner thought his insurance company would cover the cost, but now he’s learned it may not be that simple. Car owner Mike McCormick said, “And it’s a lot of money, and they’re really not stepping up, and I think they’re acting in bad faith.” Two wiring harnesses in his small SUV fried when a water bottle spilled in his back seat. The car eventually stopped running. After Action 9 aired the story in November, his insurance company, State Farm, sent a letter saying it did additional review and would cover the loss. So, McCormick was excited, but now he claims the insurance company pulled the rug out from under him.

Romance scams and other scams to avoid this Valentine’s Day

Valentine's day is a time to celebrate love, but it's also when crooks are working overtime on romance scams designed to steal people's hearts and their money. The Better Business Bureau warns the scammers often target vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other hardship. They then play off that heartbreak to establish a connection before going after their money. Looking for love online is more popular than ever and that’s where many of these scams start.

Convenience stores still charging extra tax on coffee months after Action 9 Investigation

Months after Action 9 first exposed major convenience store chains charging an extra tax on coffee drinkers, some stores are still charging the tax even though they aren’t supposed to under Florida law. “The state cheerfully is taking our money, and there’s no repercussion, there’s no answer, there’s no concern,” said Paul Olkowski of Lake County. But some of the major chains have stopped charging the tax. In November, Action 9 first showed many convenience stores charged sales tax on canned and bottled coffee drinks. The problem is the ready-to-drink coffees are considered a food product and aren’t subject to sales tax, but stores may have been charging the tax for decades.

BBB warns renters to be aware of online application fee

Action 9 is looking into what some believe is rental scam sweeping the country. Christy Cosgrove was looking for a place to rent in Osceola County. She came across a rental home listing that looked interesting and was asked to pay an application fee before even viewing the property. She told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal; the ad she saw was on the well-known legitimate website Realtor.com. So, she paid the fee but now believes it was a bogus fee and she’s not the only one to complain.

Consumers hurting from high prescription drug prices

Patients needing prescription medications are facing sticker shock and some people are paying more than others for the exact same drugs. For some, these drugs can mean the difference between life and death, but many Americans are struggling to afford them and often the pricing system is confusing and frustrating. Action 9 found in some cases, just driving to a different store could save consumers hundreds of dollars. So, getting prescriptions filled can bring worry and uncertainty.

Hospital fees hit patients who didn’t even visit the hospital

As healthcare costs continue to rise, patients are feeling the stress. “You just have to be healthy forever. And God forbid you do get sick,” said Orlando resident Evan Burgos. Some believe part of the rising costs are can be contributed to costly hospital fees that patients could be paying even if they are nowhere near a hospital. Patients used to pay these fees when they visited the emergency room or a specialty unit in the hospital, but now hospital facility fees are often tacked on for routine care at regular doctor’s offices.

Woman lost $19,000 to scammers posing as federal workers

A central Florida woman thought the federal government was coming after her and she ended up losing thousands of dollars in a scam. Selina Adorno said, “To some people, $19,000 is not a lot. That was the world to me.” It started with an official looking email that led to threat of imprisonment if she didn’t pay up. Her case is believed to be linked to a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that’s impacting people around the world.

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