News You Can Use May 2022

**Consumer Alert** CFO Jimmy Patronis Highlights $25,000 Florida Fraud Fighter Reward Program~ CFO to Expand Anti-Fraud Reward Program ~
4/28/2022

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is highlighting the Florida Fraud Fighter Reward Program in an effort to increase fraud tips and crack down on insurance fraud statewide. The Florida Fraud Fighter Reward Program was established in October 1999 to encourage and reward up to $25,000 to qualified individuals who report information on suspected insurance fraud that leads to an arrest and conviction. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis: The 2022 Hurricane Season Starts in June. Are you Prepared?
5/2/2022

Miami, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of seven individuals for their role in an alleged Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud scheme in Miami. The scheme was exposed during an undercover sting operation charging various therapists, runners, and staged accident patients with felony charges including Insurance Fraud, Grand Theft, Patient Brokering, and Organized Scheme to Defraud. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Seven Arrests in $161,000 Miami PIP Fraud Scheme
4/15/2022

Miami, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of seven individuals for their role in an alleged Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud scheme in Miami. The scheme was exposed during an undercover sting operation charging various therapists, runners, and staged accident patients with felony charges including Insurance Fraud, Grand Theft, Patient Brokering, and Organized Scheme to Defraud. Read more...

CFO Patronis Announces Arrest of Unlicensed Adjuster in Fraud Scheme Targeting Habitat for Humanity Homeowners
4/12/2022

Immokalee, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Jairo Adolfo Rivera on multiple counts of unlicensed public adjusting in Collier County. Rivera is accused of approaching Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Immokalee and offering them free kitchens and roofs if they signed an Assignment of Benefits (AOB), duping homeowners into unknowingly giving him the right to file insurance claims on their behalf and even sue their insurance company. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Three Arrests in $39,000 Cell Phone Insurance Fraud Scheme
4/6/2022

Miami, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Learne Perez, Paul Abelardo Pena Lora, and Leonado P. Pena Lora in Miami-Dade County for an alleged insurance fraud scheme involving the submission of 40 fraudulent warranty claims involving iPhone and Samsung cellular phones to American Bankers Insurance Company (Assurant) in an effort to allegedly defraud the insurance company of more than $39,000.00. Read more...

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of “GoFundMe” Style Ukraine Crowdfunding Scams
3/24/2022

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning Floridians about the pitfalls of crowdfunding websites like “GoFundMe” being used to host online charity scams related to the Ukrainian War. With nearly 1,400 Ukraine relief fundraisers on GoFundMe, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers that before giving to “Ukraine relief” funds, go to BBB’s Give.org for tips on how to best help Ukraine relief activities. Read more...

OFR Announces Top Investor Threats for 2022

03/22/2022

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) today reminds Floridians to be aware of investment scams and top investor threats when making an investment decision.

The top threats for 2022 were determined by a survey of securities regulators conducted by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). The annual survey is designed to identify the most problematic products, practices, or schemes facing investors. The following were cited most often by state and provincial securities regulators:

· Investments tied to cryptocurrencies and digital assets;

· Fraudulent promissory note offerings;

· Money scams offered through social media and internet investment offers; and

· Financial schemes connected to self-directed individual retirement accounts (IRA).