Florida residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 need to be cautious of homeowners insurance scams. As the media have reported, scam artists have taken advantage of victims by fraudulently requesting insurance payments. Here’s a closer look at how to protect against this unwanted hassle.
Irma Damage and Con Artists
Hurricane Irma caused at least $4.6 billion in damage following the September 10 disaster. Over 700,000 claims have been recorded by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, with more claims expected. The previous week another large hurricane, Harvey, struck the Houston area. Both hurricanes spawned incidents of fake homeowners insurance encounters with victims.
The scam comprises imposters posing as FEMA representatives requesting money to help file federal flood claims. Other scammers warn you to make an insurance payment to keep your policy from being canceled.
Scammer Red Flags
Anti-Fraud Strike Teams
The state is working to combat nefarious peddlers of fake homeowners insurance by deploying three anti-fraud strike teams to investigate suspicious vendors and make people aware of this community threat. These teams are partnering with law enforcement, documenting complaints and working with homeowners associations to identify suspects.
How to Handle Suspicious Encounters
For more information about homeowners insurance claims, contact the professionals at The Marcus Group.