Post-storm fraud: Who can you trust?
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Post-storm is normally when bad actors try to take advantage of folks who evacuated from their homes, left behind personal belongings, and residents who are overwhelmed and distressed.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been calling out fraudsters since even before hurricane Helene made landfall.
"We said it before the first storm, and before the second storm, don't even think about using those as an opportunity to take advantage of people who may be in dire straits," he said. "If you loot or are engaged in illegal activity, we are going to hold you accountable."
At a press conference at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, DeSantis shared that there was an apartment break-in in Sarasota, people taking debris and dumping it into someone's private property, and an individual who tried to steal a generator from a light post in Hillsborough County.
Not only is looting and improper debris removal on the state's radar, but Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis shared, as it has only been a few weeks of recovery, there are continued concerns about contracting scammers going around impacted areas.
"You're going to see a lot of documents come from a handful of contractors who are playing the same game. There will be good ones and there will be bad ones," Patronis said.
And the bad ones are showing up at people's doorstep. Patronis warns that as long as nothing is signed, there can be no harm done to a claim.
Four arrested for burglary and dealing in stolen property, police say
Other groups that are also going door to door, are Patronis' investigative strike teams, who canvas the neighborhoods just like the scammers do, but are actually there to help inform people instead.
"They're going to those affected areas, helping people know their rights, so they don't get taken advantage of," Patronis said.
Some frequently asked questions Patronis' team has been contacted about have been surrounding insurance claims and where folks should start in that process.
Those who have questions canto see the steps to take and the answers many are concerned with during this recovery period.
Patronis' team plans to continue efforts in calling out bad actors and are in the process of creating a portal for folks to be able to submit contracts they've been approached with, so concerned residents can have a second set of eyes on it before signing.
