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TAMPA, Fla. — Today, at a press conference in Tampa, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis highlighted the 'Check My Contract' portal to fight post-storm fraud following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 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. Click HERE to watch the entire press conference aired live on X.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “When disasters strike, it's vital that policyholders have the tools they need to recover quickly. Unfortunately, post-storm fraud is an epidemic in our state, and it can instantly derail and delay your recovery. As we've seen reports of several bad actors targeting communities in the Tampa area following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, I'm asking policyholders to use the Department of Financial Services free 'Check My Contract' portal. This portal helps residential and commercial property insurance policyholders submit their repair contracts following a storm to DFS to ensure they comply with Florida Law. If the contract is deemed out of line with state law or an illegal Assignment of Benefits contract, we'll give the policyholder the tools needed to cancel it. This portal will also allow my fraud investigators to determine if there are any bad actors committing systemic fraud in our communities following storms and then hold them accountable. Visit PrepareFL.com to learn more about the Check My Contract portal and submit your repair contract today."

Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter said, “Ensuring consumers are protected from insurance fraud remains a critical focus for both CFO Patronis and me. The Check My Contract service provides consumers with the confidence that their contracts comply with state law, making it easier to navigate the recovery process after a hurricane. This tool not only empowers consumers but also helps the Department identify and hold accountable those attempting to commit fraud, particularly in the aftermath of a hurricane. I strongly encourage consumers to utilize this valuable and free service."

Senator Jay Collins said, "Thank you to CFO Patronis and his team for serving not only the Tampa Bay area communities but so many after these natural disasters! In the wake of devastating storms like Helene and Milton, we've seen reports of fly-by-night contractors swooping in to prey on our communities. Do not fall for these scams. Always ensure you work with a licensed and insured contractor and never feel pressured to waive your rights as a policyholder. If you see signs of fraud, report it to the authorities immediately.”

Representative Danny Alvarez said, "After hurricanes strike, fraud prevention becomes a lifeline to ensure that your insurance proceeds come directly to you, not the hands of opportunistic scammers. Thank you to CFO Patronis for providing these resources to communities statewide and always staying vigilant in the battle against post-storm fraud."

Representative Berny Jacques said, "Disaster recovery goes beyond physical rebuilding; it's about safeguarding communities from the financial predators that often follow storms like Helene and Milton. CFO Patronis and his team at DFS have been an incredible help in getting our residents back on their feet following these storms."

Representative Susan Valdès said, "With every storm comes not just a threat from nature, but also from fraudsters looking to exploit the chaos. During this chaos, our senior citizens and non-English speaking populations are among the most vulnerable. Consistent fraud prevention inclusive of outreach and language accessible resources strengthens the integrity of the recovery and relief process for all Floridians. Thanks to CFO Patronis for providing these resources to our communities and I look forward to working with his office as our communities recover."

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