A recent Federal Trade Commission report has found that Florida is home to 18 of the top 50 cities for fraud reports in the nation – the most of any state.
Not only does Florida rank first in fraud reports, but it also ranks fourth in identity theft reports nationwide.
Florida's chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, said in a statement, “Fraud and identity theft rates in Florida are outrageous and totally unacceptable. That's why I'm bringing everyone to the table to combat this out-of-control epidemic that targets seniors, businesses, and every Florida family. From insurance fraud to spoofing calls, criminals are making a living off of the backs of Floridians by stealing your hard-earned money.”
According to the FTC's report, the top 10 Florida cities for fraud are:
1. Miami/Fort Lauderdale Metro Area 2. Pensacola Metro Area 3. Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area 4. The Villages 5. Orlando Metro Area 6. Jacksonville 7. Daytona Beach Metro Area 8. Melbourne Metro Area 9. Port St. Lucie 10. Tallahassee
Learn more: FTC Report
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].