Jeff Atwater Pays Three Floridians for Insurance Fraud Tips

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced that three people will collectively receive $25,000 for providing information that led to convictions in five major insurance fraud cases.

These individuals had the courage to come forward and report suspected insurance fraud, ultimately helping protect their fellow Floridians from this costly crime, Atwater said in a statement released Wednesday. Without their assistance, these fraudsters would still be on the streets, stealing your hard-earned dollars.

The tips aided the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud in uncovering almost $560,000 in fraudulent insurance billings.

The names of the individuals were not immediately released.

According to a release from Atwater's office:

• $10,000 was awarded to a citizen whose report of a solicitation to participate in a staged automobile accident led to the arrest of an accident clinic owner, recruiter and massage therapist all from the same clinic.
• $10,000 was awarded to a citizen who was able to obtain audio as well as video evidence demonstrating the daily operation of an illegal accident clinic. The citizen provided invaluable time and effort by taking time from his job and personal life to assist fraud detectives.
• $5,000 was awarded to a citizen who provided detectives with assistance in uncovering a scheme to intentionally destroy a vehicle and make a fraudulent insurance claim.