Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, has issued a warning about scammers targeting victims of natural disasters.
These criminals use a scheme known as “direction of payments,” where they trick victims into redirecting insurance payment claims to themselves.
“Whatever you do, do not sign anything, I repeat myself, do not sign anything, you could be giving your claim away to a total stranger,” Patronis said.
The hardest-hit areas in Florida are Suwannee and Lafayette counties, where high waters pose a significant threat to people’s lives. Suwannee County received almost 15 inches of rain, while Columbia County got about a foot.
Despite these challenges, Patronis noted that Florida is faring better than expected, with Debby quickly breaking apart after making landfall.
According to the source, he advised Floridians to call their insurance company before paying out of pocket for damages.
Patronis also explained the dangers of saltwater flooding to electric cars. “It’s high mineral content, it will create bridges, it will literally short out the battery,” he said.
“If the batteries got a full charge to it, then you literally have a fire threat in itself right there.
Once that battery hits an ignition point, it will burn until there’s no fuel left, even if it was submerged.”
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He urged Floridians with electric vehicles affected by saltwater flooding to contact their insurance carrier, manufacturer, and local fire department.
Patronis assessed the damage caused by Debby in Suwannee County at the county Emergency Operations Center. He met with Live Oak Fire Rescue to determine recovery efforts after the storm.