12-03-2025
Florida CFO deploys anti-fraud teams following tornado activity
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced on Tuesday that the state's Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams have been dispatched to central Florida after a tornado touched down in Seminole County on Monday.
The tornado, which was designated an EF-2, had peak winds of 120 mph and left extensive damage in its wake.
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Three DFAST teams, comprised of 14 law enforcement members, were deployed to the affected areas to help educate the public and prevent storm-related fraud.
'Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is,' Patronis said in a press release.
The teams, equipped with specialized knowledge of homeowners and auto insurance, will be sharing information on consumer rights and signs of fraud. Some of those signs include promises of waived or discounted insurance deductibles or offers of cash-only discounts.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the Department of Financial Services or called into the Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445.
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