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WPLG: Insurance fraudsters targeted 94-year-old Miami Gardens woman, authorities say

Monday, September 25, 2023

Janine Stanwood, Anchor/Reporter

Watch Full Story HERE.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Authorities arrested two licensed insurance adjusters, one unlicensed insurance adjuster and a mold contractor on multiple felony charges after investigators said they worked together to defraud a 94-year-old Miami Gardens woman and Citizens Insurance.

Investigators with the Florida Department of Financial Bureau’s Bureau of Insurance Fraud accused the four of filing insurance claims on behalf of Gay Scott — without her knowledge — on undamaged property.

They said it was all an attempt to defraud her and Citizens out of more than $57,000 this spring.

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Authorities said the four forged Scott’s signature on “multiple fraudulent homeowner claims, assignment of benefits documents, public adjuster contracts and a service repair agreement.”

They said the group “worked in concert” with one another and “fabricated that the air conditioner and the kitchen had suffered mold and water damage.”

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Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis told Local 10 News that the scam was a prime example of why Floridians keep paying more for insurance.

“This is why the rates of Citizens goes up, because the bad actors just like this,” Patronis said. “We can model for storms coming and impacting Florida. We cannot model for the litigation and fraud.”

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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 Twitter (@FLDFS).