Eight individuals were arrested following a workers’ compensation sting in Polk County, Florida, the state’s Department of Financial Services's Division of Insurance Fraud announced on June 22.

The eight had advertised their ability to perform wide-ranging plumbing and electrical work without proper licenses or training, and without having workers’ compensation coverage to protect their employees in the event of an accident or injury, officials said.

Undercover sting

Detectives from the insurance fraud division, accompanied by other law enforcement officers, established an undercover sting that took place over three days in an effort to stop the illegal practice, officials said. Detectives responded to public advertisements created by the defendants, requesting that they perform services at a specified location in Lakeland.

“Operations like this pull back the curtain on fraud in Florida, showing that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who oversees the state's Department of Financial Services. “Always ask questions, require all offers in writing and verify the credentials of every individual who may provide goods or services before any work begins.”

Liability risk

When individuals knowingly neglect the law, they create a liability risk for property owners by performing sub-par work and by potentially leaving property owners responsible to cover medical costs if an uncovered worker is hurt on their property, officials said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies played a role in the sting, including the Lakeland Police Department, State Attorney’s Office, DFS’ Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Compliance, and the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Of the eight individuals arrested, seven were booked on charges of workers’ compensation fraud and unlicensed contracting. One individual carried adequate workers’ compensation coverage, but failed to hold a business license. He was charged with unlicensed contracting.

If convicted, all eight face up to five years in prison, more if found to be a repeat offender.

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8 arrested in Florida workers&rsquo; compensation fraud sting

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8 arrested in Florida workers’ compensation fraud sting