Fraud Free Florida
CFO Jimmy Patronis Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Consumer Protection Week
“In response to Florida’s ongoing fraud epidemic, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis launched Fraud Free Florida, an anti-fraud initiative and website aimed at better coordinating collective investigative efforts and to protect Florida’s large population from fraud and scams. The initiative brings together statewide law enforcement officials, local state attorneys, private sector stakeholders, and members of CFO Patronis’ fraud investigative teams. Its goal is to help Florida stay ahead of new scams and take on rampant fraud already taking place including property insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, public assistance fraud, identity theft, investment fraud, and cybersecurity issues. FraudFreeFlorida.com serves as a one-stop-shop for reporting fraud and learning about ways to protect yourself from scams.”
Below is a press release from Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation recognizing the week of March 3rd through March 9th, 2024 as National Consumer Protection Week. Since 2017, CFO Patronis has made it a top priority to protect consumers from fraud by launching the Fraud Free Florida initiative and standing up additional fraud investigative task forces throughout the state. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraud, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.
To view the proclamation, click here.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has deemed the week of March 3rd through March 9th, 2024 to be National Consumer Protection Week; and
WHEREAS, National Consumer Protection Week’s purpose is to educate the public on issues such as avoiding scams, protecting yourself against identity theft, and reporting fraud for people in your community; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), housed within the Department of Financial Services, actively investigates alleged acts of insurance and workers’ compensation fraud against Floridians; and
WHEREAS, due to the ongoing fraud epidemic in Florida, I, as CFO, have launched Fraud Free Florida, an anti-fraud initiative and website aimed at better coordinating collective investigative efforts and to protect Florida’s consumers from scams; and
WHEREAS, the FTC’s four tips to avoid a scam are: don’t give out personal or financial information to an unknown request, resist the pressure to act immediately, understand how scammers ask for payment, and stop and talk to someone you trust; and
WHEREAS, fraud reporting is crucial to allow the appropriate authorities to investigate and prevent future fraud crimes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal of the State of Florida does hereby recognize the week of March 3rd through March 9th, 2024, as,
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK
and urges all Florida consumers to be weary and cautious of potential scams.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida has hereunto subscribed his name on the 4th day of March 2024.