News

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning Floridians of recent reports from Better Business Bureau (BBB) offices in Florida of genetic testing scams offering Medicare beneficiaries free cheek swabs for DNA or genetic testing. Reports warn that scam artists are offering free DNA testing to obtain Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and even door-to-door home visits.

With recent reports of a $700,000 “spear phishing” attack targeting the City of Naples, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning local governments, business owners and consumers to be on guard for targeted phishing schemes. Spear phishing is an email or text message spoofing attack that targets a specific organization or individual, seeking unauthorized access to sensitive information.

 Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announces the arrest of Norma Lopez Cedillo, the President of Nuvo Contractor, Inc., for workers’ compensation fraud. Over a more than six-month period, Cedillo allegedly evaded paying nearly $737,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The company allegedly conducted more than $5.5 million in business but reported an estimated $103,000 in anticipated payroll on their workers' compensation insurance policy.