FL Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act — Penalties

Unfair methods of competition and unfair/deceptive acts in trade or commerce are illegal; the DFS and OIR may examine, investigate, fine, and penalize within their jurisdictions. General fines (F.S. 626.9521 — amounts raised 2.5x by 2022 legislation): up to $12,500 per non-willful violation and up to $100,000 per willful violation — capped against an insurer at $50,000 (all non-willful) or $500,000 (all willful) arising from the same action. Elevated offenses: twisting and churning are each a first-degree misdemeanor plus an administrative fine of up to $12,500 non-willful / $187,500 willful — and a willful fine requires the practice to involve fraudulent conduct. Willfully submitting fraudulent signatures is a third-degree felony with the same up-to-$187,500 willful fine. These elevated fines aggregate to no more than $125,000 (non-willful) or $625,000 (willful) per action. (Older study materials carry the pre-2022 figures: $5,000/$40,000 and $75,000.)

Cheat in the market and the state has a menu: $12,500 for slips, $100,000 for intent — and $187,500 per hit when the cheat is twisting, churning, or forged signatures.