TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis activated his Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams (DFAST), which have been deployed to the affected counties to protect Floridians from storm-related fraud following the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This deployment consists of 13 teams with 80 law enforcement officers who are working to educate and inform the public on signs of post-storm fraud and ensure contractors are following Florida workers’ compensation law while conducting repairs. Since deploying DFAST, officers have interacted with more than 100 consumers in the affected counties. Additionally, the CFO issued a directive yesterday, which bolsters his anti-fraud fighting teams in the affected counties following Hurricane Helene.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “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. It’s despicable, and that’s why I have deployed my Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams to the Big Bend area to be on the lookout for bad actors trying to make a buck off the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. These anti-fraud strike teams consist of trained insurance fraud investigators with specialized knowledge of homeowners and auto insurance fraud, and they will be on the ground in the impacted areas to ensure residents know the signs of fraud and lawbreakers are held responsible. As you work to recover, don't feel pressured by anyone and DON'T SIGN ANYTHING! We have also deployed insurance specialist to help walk policyholders through the claims process if needed. If you or a loved one believes they have fallen victim to post-storm fraud, report it to my office immediately by calling our Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445."

Included in this deployment are also eight Insurance Consumer Services Disaster Assistance Teams consisting of more than 15 staff members from the CFO's Division of Insurance Consumer Services and Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services. These teams will also canvas storm impacted areas to provide post-storm insurance consumer information to assist policyholders through the claims process, ensure compliance and licensure from insurance agents and adjusters working in the area, and educate policyholders on unlicensed contractors and bad actors. The CFO's Division of Insurance Consumer Services provides insurance assistance through the toll-free Insurance Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and online at MyFloridaCFO.com.

Common Indicators of Post-Storm Fraud include:

1. 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.
2. A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional that has received payment and has failed to provide any repairs to your home.
3. 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.
4. A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional who has failed to provide any repairs to your home and has stopped responding to your contact attempts.
   

Insurance Consumer Services Resources:

• Call our statewide toll-free Insurance Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) - Out of State Callers: (850) 413-3089
• Insurance Helpline is available 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Monday - Friday
• Visit MyFloridaCFO.com/divisions/consumers for insurance assistance online or by email at Consumer.Services@myfloridacfo.com. 
  

To report suspected fraud, call the Department’s toll-free Insurance Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or visit MyFloridaCFO.com.

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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).