Moody acts against Florida pool builder: claims shocking consumer deception

FLORIDA—Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking legal action against a former Martin County-based pool builder for allegedly misleading Florida consumers.

Moody said that in its advertisements, Pro Pool Builders, LLC, promised to complete pools for consumers within 90 days of the permit issuance date. However, in numerous instances, Moody said her Consumer Protection Division investigation uncovered that the builders failed to complete, or even start, many consumers’ pools despite receiving substantial payments.

“Pro Pool Builders took large payments from consumers and promised to complete pool construction within 90 days from the date of permit issuance. However, instead of performing the work, consumers report that they either didn’t start projects or left incomplete pools in consumers’ yards, then abruptly closed business, leaving many consumers having to pay third-party contractors or even causing liens to be placed on properties,” said Moody.

“This is unacceptable, and we are taking action to stop these practices and hold the defendants accountable for ripping off Floridians.”

Moody’s investigation reportedly revealed that Pro Pool Builders operated from late 2020 to early 2022. The company advertised completion of the pool installation within 90 days from the permit issuance date; however, the builders reportedly failed to complete or even start many consumers’ pools. The investigation also revealed that the defendants solicited new business and continued to collect deposits or payments for projects even though the company could not fulfill its current contractual obligations.

Pro Pool Builders then abruptly shut down and stopped responding to consumers, Moody said. According to the investigation, after closing, the company allegedly failed to pay some suppliers or subcontractors, leaving consumers responsible for paying the third parties or causing some consumers to have liens placed on the homes.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is said to have received at least 40 complaints from Floridians about Pro Pool Builders, collectively alleging more than $1.5 million in payments to the company for untimely, incomplete and/or inadequate services.

The civil action seeks to enjoin defendants from engaging in unfair and deceptive practices relating to offering or providing pool design or installation, operating a business that sells, promotes, or operates in pool design or installation, or collecting funds from new consumers in the pool business.

The action also seeks civil penalties for each violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. In addition to a civil action, the principal manager of Pro Pool Builders is facing six counts in a separate criminal matter.

Moody recently acted against several other pool companies who allegedly targeted Floridians with deceptive business practices.

In October, Attorney General Moody took civil action against Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast for allegedly taking large upfront payments from consumers and leaving jobs incomplete. In August, Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors filed criminal charges against the owner of a Tampa-based pool company for allegedly stealing more than $1.5 million from Floridians.

In July, Moody announced the permanent shuttering of Olympus Pools, the result of legal action taken for the company’s failing to complete pool projects for consumers.

To help Floridians when looking to build a pool, Attorney General Moody released Scams at a Glance: Sink or Swim. The resource helps consumers spot and avoid pool contractor fraud. To learn more, click here.

To report pool-related scams, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office online at MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.