Florida Department of Financial Services published a press release on a directive issued by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis to fight fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Fraud is typically prevalent in the chaos and confusion following a catastrophe.
The directive strengthens the anti-fraud teams in the counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The CFO's Criminal Investigations Division assigned 80 law enforcement officers to Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams (D-FAST) who are authorized to arrest, prosecute, or issue civil penalties to anyone found engaging in insurance fraud.
D-FAST aims to stop insurance fraud and protect consumers from being targeted by unfair or deceptive acts. These include false advertising, submitting false insurance claims, and public adjusting without a license. D-FAST should coordinate with the applicable regulatory agencies in order to bring criminal charges or penalties to anyone found in violation of the insurance code.
D-FAST was deployed to the following affected counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
The directive is in effect indefinitely until rescinded by the CFO.
The press release can be found here.