Today, as Floridians across the state face the possibility of freezing cold temperatures tonight, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis offers fire safety precautions to take when families use their space heaters, wood burning stoves and fireplaces. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries and December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis launched the Holiday Money Hunt and is encouraging Floridians to spread the word and search to see if you or your business has Unclaimed Property that has been unknown or lost and ready to recover. Currently, Florida has unclaimed property accounts with a total value of $2.9 billion. CFO Patronis is on a mission to celebrate the holidays and return every last cent back to its rightful owners. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.2 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens. For b-roll video of the Florida unclaimed property vault and a selection of unclaimed items, please click here.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning consumers to beware of potential scams surrounding Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday as Floridians begin their search for holiday shopping deals and offers. CFO offers four tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft this year, as consumers are expected to spend a total of $130 billion during the period from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday. In 2022, American’s donated over $3.1 billion in 24 hours to charitable causes during Giving Tuesday.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is encouraging Floridians to incorporate the following safety tips when frying a turkey this Thanksgiving. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Additionally, the NFPA recommends you test your smoke alarm at least once a month and replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis released a statement honoring Florida’s fallen firefighters following the memorial event at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala. There were 16 fallen firefighters recognized during the Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the Fire College. Additionally, CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis addressed the families of the fallen firefighters and the fire service community at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Parade in downtown Ocala Thursday night.

For the good of all college athletes, it’s time for the NCAA to move on from Charlie Baker, find a new President, and reform their association to meet today’s challenges head-on. Under Baker, the NCAA is out of touch and clinging to its last string of relevance in a rapidly changing national collegiate sports landscape. The time is now to find new leadership who will revamp the NCAA and usher in a new era of college athletics.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis provided important information and resources for South Florida residents impacted by torrential rain and hurricane-force winds. The CFO provided information for residents with coverage through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and who might be affected by flood damage. Managed by FEMA, NFIP offers flood insurance to help mitigate the impact of flooding on businesses, property owners, and renters. For individuals who have flood insurance policies through FEMA and its federal flood insurance program, the CFO encourages consumers to contact their insurance agents for more information about filing a claim. Consumers may also reach FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a letter to Speaker Johnson urging him to delay implementation and stop the IRS from issuing Form 1099-Ks through third-party cash apps, such as PayPal, Venmo and Cash App. After the first of January, consumers will be required to file a Form 1099-K to the IRS if they make a transaction of $600 on a third-party payment platform.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released the following statement ahead of Veterans Day. To watch and download the video message click here.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warns Floridians of the threat of fake social media accounts on platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram that impersonate real business accounts in order to steal your personal information.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis applauded the Legislature on the passage of additional $176 million in funding for the My Safe Florida Home Program during Special Session. The program, administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services, provides funding for free home inspections and matches funding for home enhancements to harden homes against storms in an effort to reduce insurance premiums.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $36 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of October. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.2 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a directive barring the Department of Financial Services, Unclaimed Property Division, from returning unclaimed property to nation-states, and other regions, that facilitate attacks and other hostilities towards Israel. The countries barred under the directive include Iran, Syria, Lebanon and regions associated with Palestine. To view the CFO’s directive, click HERE.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Florida insurance agent Naser Al-Sweity, who allegedly misappropriated more than $131,000 in premium funds from several insurance consumers, resulting in the cancellation of coverage and leaving one policyholder on the hook for $1 million in repairs following Hurricane Ian.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the Florida Treasury will invest an additional $120 million in Israel bonds. The announcement comes following terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7 and further highlights and strengthens the relationship between Florida and Israel. After a recent purchase of $25 million in Israel Bonds, this additional bond purchase brings Florida’s total current investment in Israel bonds to $200 million, the largest total ever held at one time by the Florida Treasury. Under CFO Patronis’ direction since 2017, the Florida Treasury has now purchased $310 million in Israel bonds to diversify the state’s investment portfolio as part of a long-range investment strategy that has generated approximately $6.4 million in interest from these investments.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) demanding that the FCC immediately halt any further utilization of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. The letter comes following the October 4th national alert when the FCC decided to use their platform and send out a nationwide emergency test text message on all cell phones, wireless devices, TVs and radios.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis shared an important fire safety message to encourage Floridians to take precautions and protect against potential fire-related accidents this Halloween. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), decorations catch fire first in approximately 800 reported home fires each year, and more than one-third of these fires are started by candles.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recognizes the month of October as Cyber Security Awareness Month and offers cyber security tips to keep you, your family, and your business safe from potential scam artists, hackers and fraud.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis submitted a public records request to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Charlie Baker for all records regarding the NCAA’s transfer waiver process for University of North Carolina (UNC) Wide Receiver Tez Walker and Florida State University (FSU) Defensive Tackle Darrell Jackson. Recently, the NCAA made the decision to overturn the waiver denial of UNC Wide Receiver Tez Walker.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of four licensed insurance agents in Miami-Dade County identified as Alexander Faneites, Nicolas Giraldo Gutierrez, Yuriatsi Carrasco and Yanet Hernandez Suarez for allegedly submitting fraudulent life insurance policy applications to collect commission monies paid for each new policy. In total, more than $38,000 was taken in fraudulent commission payouts.