My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program Reaches Capacity
11/20/24
Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Financial Services announced that the “My Safe Florida Condo” pilot program has received the maximum number of applications for existing grant funding and that the pilot program is no longer accepting applications at this time.
The My Safe Florida Condo pilot program helps eligible condominium associations strengthen their properties against hurricanes by providing free inspections and grant funding for wind mitigation improvements. The pilot program launched on Nov. 13, and has already reached maximum capacity.
The Florida Legislature created the My Safe Florida Condo pilot program during the 2024 legislative session and provided $30 million in funding statewide. The pilot program is similar to the widely successful “My Safe Florida Home” program but is significantly limited in scope due to its initial pilot phase.
Interested condominium associations are encouraged to sign up for updates at MySafeFLCondo.com. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide free inspections to identify existing hurricane-resistant features and recommend wind mitigation improvements, and then provide grant funding to help pay for the needed improvements. Ultimately, eligible condominium associations are able to protect their properties while potentially lowering their wind insurance premiums.
CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Duval County Insurance Fraud Scheme Arrests
11/15/24
Duval County, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrests of Rochell Green and Breana Ferguson, both employees of the health care company Aetna. Green and Ferguson allegedly submitted at least 42 false insurance claims and uploaded false documentation to support their claims. The scheme took place from 2019-2023 and resulted in Green receiving more than $408,000 and Ferguson receiving more than $736,000 from their false claims.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “It’s amazing the lengths bad actors will go to commit fraud and scam the system to make a quick buck. Kudos to my Insurance Fraud detectives for arresting these fraudsters and placing them behind bars where they belong. Insurance fraud drives up rates for hardworking Floridians, and as long as I’m your CFO, we will continue to reduce fraud and hold criminals accountable. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, please report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”
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CFO Jimmy Patronis Highlights 'Check My Contract' Portal to Fight Post-Storm Fraud
11/08/24
Naples, Fla. — At a recent press conference in Naples, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis highlighted the 'Check My Contract' portal to fight post-storm fraud. The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) 'Check My Contract' portal assists residential or commercial property insurance policyholders who have entered into a repair contract with contractors, restoration professionals, or public adjusters related to an insurance claim. Check My Contract allows these policyholders to submit repair contracts to DFS for independent review to gather any potential evidence of insurance fraud against Florida policyholders, especially following storms, and ensure the contract complies with Florida Law. Read more...
CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Unlicensed Polk County Roofer Following Hurricane Milton
10/25/24
Polk County, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of WM Roofing owner, Wilmer Maldonado, for allegedly Unlicensed Contracting During State of Emergency and Failure to Secure Worker's Compensation Insurance. Maldonado was arrested by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams (DFAST) deployed by CFO Patronis to fight fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Since Hurricane Helene and Milton, we have mobilized 130 fraud detectives around our state to go door-to-door in impacted communities to be on the lookout for fraudsters and unlicensed activity. Huge kudos to our DFAST detectives for upholding the law, protecting consumers, and making this arrest. As Floridians begin to recover from these major storms, my fraud detectives will continue to be on the lookout for suspicious or unlicensed contractors looking to make a quick buck off of homeowners in vulnerable states of mind. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, please contact my office immediately at
FraudFreeFlorida.com. Also, if anyone has come to your door asking you to sign a document, please DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! Don’t allow a total stranger to get between you and your insurance claim. If you have already signed a document, please visit our new Check My Contract portal to determine, for free, if your contract meets the letter of Florida law or if you need to void the contract outright.”
