Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is activating a team of insurance fraud investigators.
The Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team (DFAST) is heading to Leon and Gadsden counties after tornadoes hit the area. Patronis announced Saturday that the initiative will help protect storm victims from scammers.
“Just minutes after a storm, the bad actors and scam artists will swoop in and try to take advantage of people at their most vulnerable time,” Patronis said.
The strike team will educate the public about the signs of possible fraud. It will also monitor contractors to ensure they follow Florida’s workers’ compensation law while conducting repairs.
“Anyone offering to provide you help for cash, please tell them no thank you,” said Patronis. “Any type of transaction of that nature, is not reimbursable by your insurance company.”
CFO Patronis also urges residents across the Panhandle and Big Bend impacted by severe weather to contact the Division of Consumer.
Common Indicators of Post-Storm Fraud include:
- A contractor, service provider (i.e., tree removal or debris removal company, etc.), or restoration professional who offered to waive or discount your insurance deductible.
- A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional that has received payment and has failed to provide any repairs to your home.
- A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional who offered to provide repairs at a cash-only discounted rate and has failed to provide repairs to your home.
- A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional who pressured you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) and has failed to provide any repairs to your home or stopped responding to your contact attempts.
Suspected fraud can be reported through the toll-free Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or at MyFloridaCFO.com.
