State insurance regulators and district attorneys are deploying teams to areas hit by devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County to deter and prosecute insurance fraudsters targeting wildfire survivors.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Partnered to send the Nathan Hochman team to conduct workshops in the Los Angeles area to help survivors understand their insurance policies and identify scams from contractors and vendors.
“Fraudsters exploit vulnerable times, preying on survivors with false promises and fraudulent schemes,” Laura said in a statement. “We saw this in the last forest fire.”
Hochman, in a statement, said prosecutors are already alert to potential fraud.
“You don't get away with impersonating insurance companies to steal from wildfire victims,” Hochman said. “Our office is on high alert for insurance fraud and we will relentlessly pursue and seek the maximum punishment for criminals who seek to exploit LA County fire victims.”
For 10 days, Los Angeles has been devastated by fires that have burned thousands of acres and leveled entire neighborhoods.
The Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and destroyed 3,501 structures as of Jan. 7 has destroyed since. The Eden Fire, which started hours later, has burned an additional 14,117 acres and destroyed 7,193 structures. At least 27 people have been confirmed dead in the two fires.
Firefighters are still working to fully contain the two fires, but some residents put out the flames Allowed to return homeMany of them found only ashes and ruins.
On Friday, officials announced the dispatch of the Department of Insurance's Disaster Assistance Recovery Teams, or DART, to areas affected by the fire. Contractors' committees work with state licensing boards and other agencies to help residents learn about their rights and ensure that contractors and vendors are licensed. Many homeowners begin dealing with the aftermath of the damage, including starting insurance claims and the rebuilding process.
A common occurrence after a natural disaster, authorities are issuing warnings about potential scams and fraudsters.
The department has arrested suspected fraudsters in past wildfires, including one man who falsely claimed to be a lawyer, filed claims and held settlement checks, the agency said.
The department is holding two-day workshops for Santa Monica and Pasadena area residents to guide survivors through insurance policies and the claims process.
A Santa Monica event is planned January 18 and 19And the Pasadena event is set January 25 and 26. Residents can schedule one-on-one appointments with a field specialist by calling 800-927-4357.
