John Askins, Director
Division of Insurance Fraud
REPORT INSURANCE FRAUD
Serving and safeguarding the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida against acts of insurance fraud
February 26, 2010 - SENIORS AND ANNUITIES
FRAUD ALERT!!!!
The sale of unsuitable annuities to our senior citizens (age 65 and
over) in Florida has become a prevalent problem and we need your
assistance in the identification of those agents responsible for these
sales.
Read More
August 7, 2009 - The Crime Intelligence Analyst Unit of the Division of Insurance Fraud recently conducted a study of the impact of the economy and it's impact on insurance fraud in the state of Florida, across the nation and even globally. The results of their research and analysis is provided in the attached report. Read More
August 1, 2009 - The Division of Insurance Fraud concluded its Strategic Plan Meeting on May 28, 2009. Prior to our meeting, we conducted a rigorous analysis of the Division's outputs over the past several fiscal years. The Division utilized the services of Dr. Scott Helzer, Florida State University, to facilitate the process of the meeting. The Division of Insurance Fraud's Strategic Plan 2009 will serve as a high-level road map, with strategic goals and objectives that address the mission of the Division. Its main goal is to once again be ranked the number one Fraud Division in the Nation. Read More
February 25, 2009 - Division of Insurance Fraud receives prestigious accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. The accreditation for the Division of Insurance Fraud is a highly prized, 260-standard recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, a critical component of the CFO’s duty as the agency head of the Florida Department of Financial Services. Read More
Established by the legislature in 1976, The Division of Insurance Fraud is the law enforcement arm of the Department of Financial Services and is responsible for investigating insurance fraud; crimes associated with claim fraud, insurance premium fraud, workers’ compensation claim fraud, workers’ compensation premium avoidance and diversions, insurer insolvency fraud, unauthorized insurance entity fraud and insurance agent crimes. The law enforcement detectives of the Division of Insurance Fraud also investigate viatical application fraud, defalcations of escrow funds held in trust by title insurance firms, and non-Medicaid related health care fraud.
According to a 2007-2008 report from the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud leads the nation in the recovery of insurance fraud related losses through court ordered restitution. In Fiscal Year 2008/2009, cases presented for prosecution by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in more than $34 million in court ordered restitution. According to the Coalition's 2007-2008 statistics, Florida ranks in the top four (4) among all states’ fraud divisions and bureaus in key measurements of success:
Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud continues to lead the fight against insurance fraud under the leadership of Colonel John Askins. During Fiscal Year 2008/2009, investigative efforts by The Division of Insurance Fraud resulted in 982 cases presented for prosecution, 834 arrests, and 532 convictions. Also during Fiscal Year 2008/2009, The Division of Insurance Fraud received and reviewed 12,084 insurance fraud referrals and opened 1,971 cases for investigation.
Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime! It is estimated that insurance fraud costs the US $80 billion dollars or more a year. Those costs get passed down to you, the consumer. The CAIF estimates that cost to be approximately $950 per family. Reporting insurance fraud is easy and just a click away.
Any action taken by an individual with the intent to fraudulently obtain payment from an insurer is considered insurance fraud.
Use Caution!
Always!
Never!