Solar & Energy Consumer Protection
Home  /  News

When Legal Help Becomes a Hoax: How Solar Contract Exit Scams Are Targeting Florida Homeowners

Legal Violations We Commonly See

At Joshua Horton Law, we help clients identify the legal and ethical violations these operations commit, including:

1. Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)

Under Florida Statutes Section 454.23, it is a felony to offer legal services without a license. These companies regularly cross that line by providing legal advice and documents without attorney oversight.

2. Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices

Many of these outfits violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) by:

  • Misrepresenting non-lawyers as legal professionals
  • Guaranteeing legal outcomes
  • Omitting key facts about their services

3. Misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

Some consumers receive partial settlements but are required to sign NDAs, silencing them from warning others. While NDAs can be legal, using them to cover up unethical conduct is a serious concern.

A Familiar Playbook: From Timeshares to Solar

We’ve traced several of these solar exit operations back to individuals previously involved in timeshare exit scams. These groups rebrand under new names to avoid detection—recycling the same high-pressure tactics in a new industry.

How to Protect Yourself

If you’re considering ending a solar contract, Joshua Horton Law urges you to:

  • Verify the Attorney: Use FloridaBar.org to confirm the credentials of any attorney.
  • Demand Transparency: Don’t proceed without a written engagement letter detailing services and responsibilities.
  • Avoid “Guaranteed” Results: No ethical law firm will promise specific outcomes.
  • Report Fraud: Suspect wrongdoing? File a complaint with the Florida Bar or Attorney General’s Office.

We’re Here to Help

This article is general information about developments in the solar and energy financing industry. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Email
Talk to an Attorney

Not sure whether this applies to your system?

Send us your loan documents, service agreement, and warranty paperwork through the intake form. We’ll tell you plainly whether there’s something worth pursuing.

Bankruptcy claims have deadlines

Claim windows in a Chapter 11 close fast, and missing one can bar a claim entirely. If your installer or financier has filed, ask sooner rather than later.

Related

Related Posts

More on how these deals go wrong, and what homeowners can do about it.

Confidential & No Obligation

If Something Felt Off About Your Solar Deal

It’s worth a conversation. Tell us what happened and we’ll give you an honest read on whether you have a claim.