To protect wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County from insurance fraud, state insurance regulators and county prosecutors are working together. Workshops are being held to educate survivors about their insurance policies and to identify potential fraud by contractors and vendors. Authorities are warning of scammers exploiting vulnerable situations and are actively pursuing those who attempt to take advantage of victims.
State insurance regulators and county prosecutors are joining forces to protect wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County from insurance fraud. Following the devastating fires that have ravaged the region, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman are deploying teams to affected areas. These teams will conduct workshops to educate survivors about their insurance policies and help them identify potential fraud by contractors and vendors.
'Scammers exploit vulnerable times, preying on survivors with false promises and fraudulent schemes,' Lara stated. 'We've seen this in past wildfires.' Hochman echoed the concern, emphasizing that prosecutors are actively monitoring for scams. 'You will not get away with impersonating insurance companies in order to steal from wildfire victims,' Hochman warned. 'Our office is on high alert for insurance scams and we will relentlessly pursue and seek the maximum punishment for the criminals who seek to exploit the victims of L.A. County fires.'For ten days, Los Angeles has been grappling with catastrophic fires that have scorched thousands of acres and destroyed entire neighborhoods. The Palisades fire, ignited on January 7, has burned 23,713 acres and destroyed 3,501 structures. The Eaton fire, which started hours later, has charred another 14,117 acres and devastated 7,193 structures. Tragically, at least 27 people have been confirmed dead from these two blazes. Firefighters continue to battle the fires, but some residents have been allowed to return home, only to find devastation and ashes. On Friday, officials announced the deployment of the Department of Insurance's Disaster Assistance Response Teams, or DART, to affected areas. These teams will collaborate with the Contractors State License Board and other agencies to assist residents in understanding their rights and verifying the licenses of contractors and vendors.Many homeowners are now confronting the aftermath of the damage, including navigating insurance claims and beginning the arduous process of rebuilding. Officials have been issuing warnings about the potential for scams and fraudsters, a recurring issue following natural disasters. The department has apprehended suspected fraudsters in past wildfires, including an individual who falsely claimed to be an attorney, filed claims, and kept settlement checks, according to the agency. The department is hosting two-day workshops for residents in the Santa Monica and Pasadena areas to guide survivors through insurance policies and the claims process. The Santa Monica event is scheduled for January 18 and 19, while the Pasadena event is set for January 25 and 26. Residents can also contact 800-927-4357 to schedule one-on-one consultations with a department expert
Insurance Fraud Wildfires Los Angeles County Disaster Relief Insurance Claims
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