Keeping your money in your pocket, where it belongs.

Transcription

1 Keeping your money in your pocket, where it belongs.

2 Captain David Lindsay 610 East Burgess Rd, Pensacola, Fl Phone:

3 Our Mission and Vision The Division of Insurance Fraud, guided by our values, will serve and safeguard the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida, against acts of insurance fraud. Guided by our Commitment to Excellence, will strive to be the premier insurance fraud unit in the nation, leading the way in education, detection and prosecution of insurance fraud cases.

4 About the Division The Department of Financial Services is headed by the Chief Financial Officer. The Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) is the law enforcement arm under the Department and is responsible for investigating all types of insurance fraud. In January 2012, Director Dan Anderson was appointed by CFO Jeff Atwater over the Division of Insurance Fraud. He is assisted by Deputy Director Jack Kelley. The Division of Insurance Fraud has six regions located throughout the state of Florida, each commanded by a law enforcement captain; and 23 squads, each supervised by a lieutenant. Additionally, the Division consists of 150 sworn officers and 46 civilian support staff members. Insurance Fraud is not a victimless crime. It is estimated that insurance fraud costs the United States $80 billion dollars or more a year, which are ultimately passed down to consumers. The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) estimates this fraud to cost approximately $950 per family. Since taking office, CFO Atwater has made it a top priority to fight this insidious fraud. He believes it to be one of the biggest cost drivers for escalating auto insurance rates that are increasingly burdening Florida's consumers and families. Proudly, the Division of Insurance Fraud has served as a national leader in the fight against insurance fraud, continuously ranking in the top five among all states fraud bureaus and divisions.

5 Record Breaking Statistics The Division closed its 2012 fiscal year in record setting fashion. With the never ending support of CFO Atwater, DIF made more than 700 arrests in just five months, ending the fiscal year with 1,228 arrests. The previous record was in FY 2009/2010 at 1,042 arrests. DIF detectives averaged more arrests per Detective than DIF has ever averaged in a year! Florida s Division of Insurance Fraud continues to lead the fight against insurance fraud under the leadership of Director Anderson. During Fiscal Year 2011/2012, the Division of Insurance Fraud received and reviewed 15,141 insurance fraud referrals which resulted in 1,242 cases presented for prosecution and 845 Convictions. The convictions resulted in court ordered restitution totaling $47,067, In the 1st quarter of Fiscal Year 2013, DIF had 393 arrests which is the 2nd highest quarter ever and in November, we had 148 Arrests which tied for the 3rd highest month ever.

6 Personal Injury Protection PIP Fraud DIF has 9 dedicated squads and 48 detectives to investigate PIP. There are 14 dedicated prosecutors in 6 jurisdictions to handle cases. PIP makes up about 40% of all arrests 496 in PIP Fraud involves the following schemes: Staged Accidents and Accident Clinics Unlicensed Clinics / Straw Ownership Crash Reports / Solicitation / Patient Brokering Fraud by Patient and Jump-Ins The Fake Insurance Card / Application Fraud NICB operates two Regional Task Forces which law enforcement and 100 SIU investigators together on a monthly basis.

7 Bureau of Workers Compensation Fraud The Bureau of Workers' Compensation Fraud (BWCF) is a stand-alone unit within DIF. BWCF has 5 dedicated squads and 26 detectives to investigate WC fraud WC fraud makes up about 28% of all arrests in WC Fraud involves the following schemes: Employer premium avoidance fraud Employers/business working without WC coverage Injured Employee claim fraud Fraudulent use of personal identification aka identity theft Fraudulent use of certificates of insurance (COIs) Money Service Businesses/Check Cashing Businesses "renting" fraudulent COIs BWCF works closely with the Division of Workers Compensation of FLDFS and other government agencies which include the FL Office of Financial Regulation, FL Department of Business & Professional Regulation, the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Palm Beach Sheriff s Office. With our BSO and PBSO partnerships, Operation Dirty Money generated more than 20 arrests; we charged more than $140 million in insurance Premium Avoidance Fraud and we seized approximately $3 million in assets. BWCF allies with the FL Workers' Compensation Fraud Task Force, a public-private partnership comprised insurance industry and Florida employer reps. The mission is to review laws, rules and regulations governing WC Fraud and suggest ideas to increase effectiveness of enforcement.

8 Officer training Emergency preparedness and response Accreditation Managing officer certifications CJIS compliance and certification Office of Professional Standards and Planning

9 Office of Professional Standards and Planning

10 Insurance Fraud Web Site The Division of Insurance Fraud s website offers: Consumer and Industry Fraud Reporting Regional Office locations and phone numbers Industry Special Investigator Unit information Consumer guides and brochures Access to our new PIP Source monthly newsletter DIF Announcements, Annual Reports, Stat Paks and Special Reports on PIP and WC Fraud

11 Anti-Fraud Reward Program Rewards of up to $25,000 may be paid to persons providing information to the Department of Financial Services leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing insurance fraud, including employers who illegally fail to obtain workers' compensation coverage. Persons may report suspected insurance fraud to the Department at Persons reporting suspected insurance fraud may remain anonymous.