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The state receives thousands of complaints every year about unlicensed businesses and contractors. Most of the complaints come after the customer has already been ripped off. As Whitney Ray tells us, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is launching an educational campaign to keep customers from becoming victims.

Customers line up, almost daily, at this food truck to buy fried chicken and waffles.

Reporter: Do you have any reservations about eating food out of a truck?
Danay DuBrey: No, it�s sanitary or otherwise they wouldn�t be able to do it.

The owners of the Cravings food truck display their business license on the order window for customers to see. Not only because it�s the law, but also to let their customers know, they have the state�s blessing.

�It�s not your typical grease trailer where we serve prepackaged goods, but this is actually gourmet or restaurant style food,� said Jonathan Sellers.

Restaurant owners, hair dressers and veterinaries are a few of the businesses required by state law to display their licenses. Construction contractors must place their license numbers on their advertising. Last year there were 17-hundred complaints about unlicensed construction workers.

State regulators say unlicensed businesses are taking customers from companies who follow the rules.

To spread the word about unlicensed companies, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is launching an educational campaign, posting 34 billboards throughout the state.

�We are missing out on licensing fees, but more importantly we are seeing our people harmed by their activities,� said DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson.

The push comes less than a year after state lawmakers tried to eliminate business licensing for interior designers, hair dressers and mechanics. The legislation failed but the deregulation efforts continue.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation says people should ask to see a business license when shopping around for construction work. They�ve also set up a hotline where people can report unlicensed contractors. The number is 1-866-532-1400.