NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Regulatory Boards has released its latest Disciplinary Action Report, which compiles the actions taken by its boards and commissions during the month of December.

NASHVILLE – Colder temperatures are in the forecast for many Tennesseans as we approach the weekend, and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding Volunteer State residents to keep safety in mind when choosing to use alternative heating options as a way to stay warm.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) announces that Tennesseans received over $17.9 million in 2018 through the Department’s mediation efforts and the recovery of lost life insurance benefits.

NASHVILLE – Fireworks can ensure your New Year rings in with a bang, but they can also pose safety concerns for consumers who choose to produce their own backyard show. To avoid injuries or starting a fire, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is advising residents to always leave fireworks to the experts for the New Year’s celebration.

Kind-hearted Tennesseans will turn to charitable organizations this year to help make a positive impact for those who are less fortunate. Unfortunately, charity scammers will use the end-of-year giving surge and take advantage to consumers’ generosity. To help consumers avoid charity scams, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs is advising consumers to always research charitable organizations before opening their wallets or entering personal information online.

NASHVILLE – With less than two weeks remaining in 2018, fire fatalities in Tennessee have already exceeded their totals from 2017. Ahead of the first day of winter (Dec. 21), the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is advising Volunteer State residents that the cold weather season is the deadliest time of the year, and fire-safe behaviors could be the difference between life and death when it comes to home heating fires.

NASHVILLE – Buying a home should be an exciting and joyous time, but some real-estate scammers seize the opportunity to try and scam Tennesseans out of house and home. To raise awareness of the growing trend of “cloud company” real-estate scams, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee Real Estate Commission are warning potential homebuyers of a new scam targeting real-estate seekers.

NASHVILLE – Over 100 newly certified officers will graduate from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The graduation ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. (CT) at Al Menah Shrine Temple (1354 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN).

NASHVILLE – Decorations can help turn every Scrooge into a Santa, but care must be taken to ensure that a home’s décor is fire safe. To decrease the risk of a home fire, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that popular holiday decorations, like candles and string lights, can cause tragedy when not used properly.

NASHVILLE – For scammers, the season of holiday giving is the season of taking, and Tennesseans’ hard-earned money again tops scammers’ wish lists. Unfortunately, Tennessee consumers are falling for scammers’ ploys when it comes to gift card swindles in increasing numbers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Consumer Sentinel Network reports Tennesseans lost nearly $1 million – over $943,000 – through prepaid gift card scams in 2018, which is a 44 % increase compared to 2017 when scammers stole $653,709 from consumers.

NASHVILLE – Opinions may differ on when to start decorating for the holidays, but one thing is certain: Practicing fire safety during the holidays can drastically reduce the likelihood of a home fire. To raise awareness of fire-safe behaviors this holiday season, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is asking Tennesseans to “Be a Good Elf” when it comes to selecting, decorating, and maintaining Christmas trees.

– Scooter sharing services, like Bird and Lime, are a growing alternative transportation means in some urban areas of the United States. These battery-powered scooters, which can currently be found in Nashville and Memphis, can reach speeds of up to 20 mph and are generally operated on roadways. While the scooters are easy to operate and readily available, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is urging consumers to always consider the insurance implications of operating a scooter before using one.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee consumers have been matched with policies totaling $11,148,069 in the past 12 months through the Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free service provided through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) via the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI).

NASHVILLE – The option to “try before your buy” when looking for a product or service can be enticing, but the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division is advising consumers to approach free trial offers with caution.