Title XXXIII REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS
Chapter 539 PAWNBROKING
539.001 The Florida Pawnbroking Act.
(8) PAWNBROKER TRANSACTION FORM.—
(a) At the time the pawnbroker enters into any pawn or purchase transaction, the pawnbroker shall complete a pawnbroker transaction form for such transaction, including an indication of whether the transaction is a pawn or a purchase, and the pledgor or seller shall sign such completed form. The agency must approve the design and format of the pawnbroker transaction form, which must be 81/2 inches x 11 inches in size and elicit the information required under this section. In completing the pawnbroker transaction form, the pawnbroker shall record the following information, which must be typed or written indelibly and legibly in English.
(b) The front of the pawnbroker transaction form must include:
1. The name and address of the pawnshop.
2. A complete and accurate description of the pledged goods or purchased goods, including the following information, if applicable:
a. Brand name.
b. Model number.
c. Manufacturer’s serial number.
d. Size.
e. Color, as apparent to the untrained eye.
f. Precious metal type, weight, and content, if known.
g. Gemstone description, including the number of stones.
h. In the case of firearms, the type of action, caliber or gauge, number of barrels, barrel length, and finish.
i. Any other unique identifying marks, numbers, names, or letters. Notwithstanding sub-subparagraphs a.-i., in the case of multiple items of a similar nature delivered together in one transaction which do not bear serial or model numbers and which do not include precious metal or gemstones, such as musical or video recordings, books, and hand tools, the description of the items is adequate if it contains the quantity of items and a description of the type of items delivered.
3. The name, address, home telephone number, place of employment, date of birth, physical description, and right thumbprint of the pledgor or seller.
4. The date and time of the transaction.
5. The type of identification accepted from the pledgor or seller, including the issuing agency and the identification number.
6. In the case of a pawn:
a. The amount of money advanced, which must be designated as the amount financed;
b. The maturity date of the pawn, which must be 30 days after the date of the pawn;
c. The default date of the pawn and the amount due on the default date;
d. The total pawn service charge payable on the maturity date, which must be designated as the finance charge;
e. The amount financed plus the finance charge that must be paid to redeem the pledged goods on the maturity date, which must be designated as the total of payments;
f. The annual percentage rate, computed according to the regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board under the federal Truth in Lending Act; and
g. The front or back of the pawnbroker transaction form must include a statement that:
(I) Any personal property pledged to a pawnbroker within this state which is not redeemed within 30 days following the maturity date of the pawn, if the 30th day is not a business day, then the following business day, is automatically forfeited to the pawnbroker, and absolute right, title, and interest in and to the property vests in and is deemed conveyed to the pawnbroker by operation of law, and no further notice is necessary;
(II) The pledgor is not obligated to redeem the pledged goods; and
(III) If the pawnbroker transaction form is lost, destroyed, or stolen, the pledgor must immediately advise the issuing pawnbroker in writing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or in person evidenced by a signed receipt.
(IV) A pawn may be extended upon mutual agreement of the parties.
7. In the case of a purchase, the amount of money paid for the goods or the monetary value assigned to the goods in connection with the transaction.
8. A statement that the pledgor or seller of the item represents and warrants that it is not stolen, that it has no liens or encumbrances against it, and that the pledgor or seller is the rightful owner of the goods and has the right to enter into the transaction.
Any person who knowingly gives false verification of ownership or gives a false or altered identification and who receives money from a pawnbroker for goods sold or pledged commits:
(a) If the value of the money received is less than $300, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) If the value of the money received is $300 or more, a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c) A pawnbroker transaction form must provide a space for the imprint of the right thumbprint of the pledgor or seller and a blank line for the signature of the pledgor or seller.
(d) At the time of the pawn or purchase transaction, the pawnbroker shall deliver to the pledgor or seller an exact copy of the completed pawnbroker transaction form.
