CFO Jimmy Patronis Applauds Gov. DeSantis for Signing Fraud Prevention Bill
6/7/2022
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis for signing House Bill 749, Fraud Prevention. The legislation provides various fraud protections for consumers including provisions streamlining the cancelation of subscription services, the implementation of digital insurance cards, cracks down on unwanted telemarketing calls, and provides measures to hold unlicensed insurance adjusters accountable.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “As a former small business owner myself, I work every day as your CFO to ensure that the customer comes first and consumers are protected. This legislation empowers Florida policyholders by creating digital insurance cards that will communicate with the digital drivers’ license and mandates that they be operational by 2023 on Florida roadways to create value for Florida drivers and reduce insurance fraud. Included in this bill are also provisions that combat fraudulent and annoying telemarketing calls by requiring licensed warranty agencies and agents to identify their full business name and license number immediately - cracking down on the amount of illegitimate telemarketing calls. I also fought to include increased penalties on unlicensed public adjusters who break the law. In certain instances, following a storm, policyholders may contract with their own adjusters to assess damage. Too often, a bad adjuster that’s unlicensed will take their money and run or lock the policyholder into a bad contract where they sign their rights away – that practice ends now.
“Thank you to Governor DeSantis for signing this legislation which will go a long way in modernizing our DFS statutes and giving the Florida consumer more control and prevent fraud. My thanks to Senator Gruters and Representative Clemons for taking on the challenge of passing these fraud protections and making Florida a safer place to do business.”
Senator Joe Gruters said, “Thank you to Governor DeSantis for signing this good bill into law and to CFO Patronis for his commitment to protecting Floridians. I was pleased to sponsor this piece of legislation that protects consumers from fraudulent activities.”
Representative Chuck Clemons said, “I was pleased to sponsor this legislation in the Florida House and guide it to the Governor’s desk. This bill will hold big businesses accountable and keep fraudsters at bay. Thank you to CFO Patronis for all your support and working to keep the State of Florida fiscally responsible to consumers.”
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).
