Captain David Lindsay
610 East Burgess Rd, Pensacola, Fl 32506
Phone: 850-453-7802
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.
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.
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
$47,067,306.33.
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.
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 2011-12. 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.
Personal Injury
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 - 274 in 2011-2012. 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.
Office of Professional Standards
and Planning
Officer training
Emergency preparedness and
response
Accreditation
Managing officer certifications
Office of Professional Standards
and Planning
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
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 1-800-378-0445. Persons reporting suspected insurance fraud may remain anonymous.
