In observance of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) is sharing essential tips and resources to help Floridians strengthen their disaster plans as the 2025 Hurricane Season kicks off on June 1st.

Today, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Criminal Investigations Division (CID), announced the arrest of Tampa Life Plan Village Board President Ronald Richard Schuck on charges of Continuing Care Contract Fraud.

Today, the Florida Division of Unclaimed Property announced that more than $44 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of March.

Today, the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal hosted the 2nd Annual Florida Fire Service Day on the grounds of the Florida State Capitol. The event, attended by more than 50 fire rescue departments from across the state, highlighted the Florida fire service and was filled with engaging family-friendly activities and live demonstrations.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urged homeowners who have completed home inspections under the My Safe Florida Home program, to submit required age and income information through a survey on the Program’s website.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis warned Tesla owners and first responders about the heightened dangers of electric vehicle (EV) fires, in light of recent targeted arson attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis provides important recovery information and resources for Florida residents impacted by recent severe weather across the state. The CFO provided information on avoiding post-storm fraud and how to obtain insurance assistance through the Division of Insurance Consumer Services toll-free insurance helpline.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis activated his Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams (DFAST), which have been deployed to the affected counties to protect Floridians from storm-related fraud following the impacts of tornado activity in Seminole County. Two teams consisting of nine sworn law enforcement officers have already been deployed to educate and inform the public on signs of post-storm fraud and ensure contractors are following Florida workers’ compensation laws while conducting repairs. An additional team will be deployed tomorrow, bringing the total law enforcement personnel up to 14, to assist with anti-fraud efforts over the next week.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $42 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of February. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.7 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida residents.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges Floridians to make preparations to homes and property ahead of a severe weather event that is expected to bring damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and coastal flooding to the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, starting as early as tonight. Floridians are encouraged to follow the tips below and visit PrepareFL.com to plan accordingly for the impending storm.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced legislation aimed at enhancing Florida’s resilience against hurricanes and severe weather. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1466 and House Bill 851, will create the 'My Safe Florida Home Trust Fund,' designed to allocate critical resources towards hardening our communities and ensuring the safety of Floridians during storm events. The My Safe Florida Home Program has been widely successful, allocating more than $576 million in home-hardening grants to more than 58,000 homeowners statewide.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of Tasha Carter, Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) Board of Directors. FIGA is a nonprofit corporation created by the Florida Legislature in 1970 and services pending claims by Florida policyholders of member insurance companies that become insolvent and are ordered liquidated.

Today, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued a directive to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) banning the use of “DeepSeek,” a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company. DeepSeek is a newly launched competitor to ChatGPT and other American-operated AI companies that presents a major national security risk, as it is designed to capture massive amounts of user data — including highly personal information — that is vulnerable to the Chinese Communist Party. Through his directive, CFO Patronis is taking the lead on protecting critical state information from a foreign adversary.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage to the State of Immigration Enforcement Council. The Council is an advisory body that advises the new State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, which includes Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The Florida Legislature established the State Board of Immigration Enforcement in February 2025 to combat illegal immigration in the state of Florida.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis gave remarks during a meeting of the Governor and Cabinet in Niceville, Florida. During the meeting, the Governor and Cabinet appointed former U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe as the first acting Director of the newly created Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced that members of his Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Bomb Squad Team were deployed to Daytona International Speedway to help ensure safety during the Daytona 500 this weekend. The CID Bomb Squad consists of 12 Certified Bomb Technicians and two Apprentices. CID also has explosive detection K-9s that have been deployed in support of the race.

This Valentine’s Day, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is helping Floridians find “love” by looking for accounts with Valentine’s-themed names and urging them to search Florida’s Unclaimed Property database. Currently, Florida has more than $21 million in unclaimed property for residents with names such as Love, Valentine, Heart and more. Additionally, since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.7 billion in Unclaimed Property has been returned to Floridians.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of Frank White of Pensacola to the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors. The Florida Legislature created Citizens in August 2002 as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt government entity to provide property insurance to eligible Florida property owners unable to find insurance coverage in the private market.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued an official letter to Elon Musk in which he recommended that the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audit federal grants to universities for censorship funding, specifically grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and government entities that partner with USAID, such as the National Science Foundation. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LETTER.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $33 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of January. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.7 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida residents.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recognized January 13-17, 2025 as Florida Thrift Week with a proclamation promoting the importance of thrift and its benefits to Florida families and the state's economy. Every year, Florida Thrift Week encourages financial literacy and responsible consumer behavior in the Sunshine State.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on Governor Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session on protecting Florida from illegal immigration, funding the My Safe Florida Home Program, addressing condo law, and petitions.

"Studies show nearly 30 percent of firefighters and 20 percent of officers are impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic situations on the job can really take a toll, and that’s why Florida's CFO Jimmy Patronis is requesting $3.6 million in funding for Florida's first responders."

Today, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced a request for $3.6 million in funding to improve mental health care for Florida's first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, dispatchers, and Emergency Medical Services personnel. During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) will work with lawmakers and stakeholders statewide to secure funding and develop a comprehensive mental health, peer support program, and psychological services to support Florida's first responders.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $30 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of December, closing out the calendar year with nearly $426 million returned in 2024. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, nearly $2.7 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida residents.