News You Can Use - September 2024

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces $47,000 PIP Fraud Arrest in Miami-Dade County
09/09/24

Miami, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrests of Yanirma Toledo, Lensky Jose Hernandez-Santiago and Maylett Leiva-Santana. These individuals are charged with intentionally defrauding United Auto Insurance Company to allegedly exploit the personal injury and protection (PIP) benefits associated with the auto policies for financial gain. Toledo, Hernandez-Santiago, and Leiva-Santana allegedly defrauded United Auto Insurance Company more than $47,000 in total. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Investigation into CarShield for Deceptive Sales Practices
08/21/24

Tallahassee, Fla. - Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced an investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Division of Agent and Agency Services into nationwide vehicle service contract company CarShield for deceptive sales practices in Florida. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently fined CarShield $10 million to resolve charges of deceptive advertising and misrepresentations by celebrity endorsers. DFS regulates and licenses warranty and service contract sales representatives and agencies. Following the recent fines levied by the FTC, the Department will conduct a review of sales agents and agencies who promote and sell CarShield products. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Broward County Insurance Adjuster

8/16/2024

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Giorgio Giovanni Gonzalez, owner of Maximum Claims Recovery, Inc., on two counts of felony charges of Unlicensed Public Adjusting. Giorgio Giovanni Gonzalez allegedly secured public insurance adjuster contracts for adjusting, and appraisal services, without being licensed in the state of Florida, and then unlawfully withheld money belonging to two policyholders. Gonzalez defrauded the two policyholders out of $34,424.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "When unlicensed public adjusters take advantage of the system, every policyholder in the state loses. Insurance fraud drives up rates and devalues the professionalism of honest public adjusters and insurance agents. As Florida’s insurance market begins to improve little-by-little, we will continue to assure companies and policyholders that fraud will not be tolerated in our state. Kudos to my Criminal Investigations Division fraud detectives for doing the hard work to bring this fraudster to justice. Also, thanks to the Broward State Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and protecting the rights of Florida consumers." Read more...

**CONSUMER ALERT** CFO Jimmy Patronis: AOB Contracts Are Illegal in Florida
08/06/24

Tallahassee, Fla. – Following the impacts of Hurricane Debby, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following consumer alert warning consumers of contracts designed to avoid Florida’s ban on assignment of benefits (AOBs). AOBs were used by contractors to transfer the homeowner’s property insurance rights to the contractor but have been prohibited in Florida since January 1, 2023.

Consumers are seeing more contractors trying to avoid the AOB prohibition outlined in Florida Law by contractually requiring homeowners to have their insurers pay insurance proceeds directly to the contractor. The provision will typically use language like “Direct Payment Authorization.” These contract arrangements are often prohibited AOBs. Florida law defines an AOB as any instrument in which a post-loss insurance benefit is assigned, transferred, or acquired in any manner, in whole or in part, to or from a person providing services. If you have already signed a contract, you should seek legal advice before making any decision about what is best for you under the specific language of your contract – this area of law can be complex. Read more...

My Safe Florida Home Program Opens Grant Application Portal
06/30/24

Tallahassee, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the reopening of the My Safe Florida Home program's grant application portal. The program will prioritize senior citizens and low-income homeowners with two special application periods before opening to the public. The initiative offers free home inspections and grants up to $10,000 for strengthening homes against storms with impact-resistant doors and windows, aiming to reduce insurance costs through mandatory mitigation discounts. Newly signed legislation provides an additional $200 million for the program, enhancing services for seniors and low-income homeowners. Since 2022, the program has conducted over 104,000 free inspections, approved 38,000 grant applications, and allocated nearly $390 million in home hardening grants. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Three Arrests in Insurance Agent Testing Fraud Scheme
06/27/24

Miami, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of two insurance agents, and a third individual, for their alleged involvement in an insurance agent license testing fraud scheme in Miami. Rainer Miguel Salas and his son Rainer Alexander Salas, a licensed Florida insurance agent, and receptionist Karla Lit Peralta Ceballos, also a licensed Florida insurance agent, allegedly accepted payments and facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of approximately five Florida insurance agents' licenses by taking licensing exams on behalf of other individuals.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "Florida’s insurance agents and agencies are held to the highest professional standards and are crucial to guiding consumers through the insurance landscape and supporting them during critical times like filing claims following disasters. It's reprehensible that this father and son duo facilitated cheating on the state insurance exam just to make a quick buck. Such fraudulent behavior undermines the trust and integrity expected of our state’s licensed insurance agents. In Florida, we fight fraud in all forms and I thank our fraud detectives, the Bureau of Agent Investigations, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for their diligence in apprehending these perpetrators and bringing them to justice." Read more...

**CONSUMER ALERT** CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of My Safe Florida Home Program Imposters
06/21/24

Tallahassee, Fla. - Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning Floridians to be weary of misleading solicitations and flyers claiming to be associated with the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program and promoting “free roofs and windows”. Before conducting any business with a contractor, homeowners should verify their credentials and understand the MSFH grant process to avoid falling victim to fraud.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Former Fire Captain For Insurance Fraud
06/11/24

Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Miguel Ferrer, a retired Town of Davie Fire Captain, for insurance fraud related to a claim for additional living expense (ALE) connected to a homeowner property claim from March 2022.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "This case is a reminder of the serious consequences of homeowners insurance fraud. I want to commend the hard work of our investigative team at CID (Criminal Investigations Division) and their dedication to ensure that individuals who commit fraud are held accountable. It’s particularly sad when those arrested for insurance fraud are former first responders. As CFO, it is my duty to fight fraud and deter others who might consider committing homeowners’ fraud to make a quick buck. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, please report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com."