CFO Jimmy Patronis Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Consumer Protection Week

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation recognizing the week of March 3^rd through March 9^th, 2024 as National Consumer Protection Week. Since 2017, CFO Patronis has made it a top priority to protect consumers from fraud by launching the Fraud Free Florida initiative and standing up additional fraud investigative task forces throughout the state. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.

To view the proclamation, click here.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has deemed the week of March 3^rd through March 9^th, 2024 to be National Consumer Protection Week; and

WHEREAS, National Consumer Protection Week’s purpose is to educate the public on issues such as avoiding scams, protecting yourself against identity theft, and reporting fraud for people in your community; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), housed within the Department of Financial Services, actively investigates alleged acts of insurance and workers’ compensation fraud against Floridians; and

WHEREAS, due to the ongoing fraud epidemic in Florida, I, as CFO, have launched Fraud Free Florida, an anti-fraud initiative and website aimed at better coordinating collective investigative efforts and to protect Florida’s consumers from scams; and

WHEREAS, the FTC’s four tips to avoid a scam are: don’t give out personal or financial information to an unknown request, resist the pressure to act immediately, understand how scammers ask for payment, and stop and talk to someone you trust; and

WHEREAS, fraud reporting is crucial to allow the appropriate authorities to investigate and prevent future fraud crimes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal of the State of Florida does hereby recognize the week of March 3^rd through March 9^th, 2024, as,

NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK

and urges all Florida consumers to be weary and cautious of potential scams.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida has hereunto subscribed his name on the 4th day of March 2024.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis  
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).