According to the National Information Crime Bureau (NICB), Florida is among the top 5 states, next to California, Michigan, and New York, with the highest rate of questionable insurance claims (QCs). QCs are claims which NICB member insurance companies refer for closer review and investigation based on one or several indicators in which the claim may be fraudulent.  Water damage claims made by homeowners can, at times, be a major red flag. This type of claim is easy to create, fabricate and allege repairs. When there is a long period of time between loss and report, or when the claim is reported within the first 90 days of the policy's inception, can be cause for concern.  A red flag could also be raised if there are inflated/exaggerated invoices, invoices for excessive equipment to repair the damage, disposing of the damaged materials before inspection, etc.  Florida Peninsula Insurance Company strives to keep our rates low and takes insurance fraud extremely seriously. One way we ...

  As spring approaches, don't be a victim of home repair and contractor fraud. Reduce the risk of being scammed by making yourself aware of the following red flags: 1. Contractors who appear at your doorstep: If someone knocks at your door to ask you if you need their services, or offer to give you a consultation, it is okay to simply take their business card, listen to what they have to say, and shut the door. One thing you should do is research their company online to see if it is legitimate. Often times, there are people who will take your money and run. 2. Your contractor is pressuring you: If you feel extremely pressured to make a decision because your contractor is pushing you to sign the agreement based on a "special deal" or "today only" offer, it may be in your best interest to decline the offer. AOB (Assignment of Benefit) fraud is also very common and some contractors who require an AOB are known for their high pressure tactics. Signing an Assignment of Benefits form transfers the rights ...

  One man's trash is an identity thief's treasure. As crazy as it sounds, identity thieves can find valuable information in what you are throwing away. Unknowingly, our trash bins can be filled with personal information including bank statements, credit card numbers and more. What is known as "dumpster diving" may not be the most sophisticated type of identity theft, but it can still cause severe damage to its victims.  You may not be able to keep divers out of your trash, but you can stop them from finding treasure by following these tips: Shred any documents containing personal information, such as your social security number, driver's license number, bills, and bank statements.  If you are getting rid of an old credit or debit card, make sure you cut it up into several pieces before throwing it away.  Use caution when discarding unwanted junk mail. Some junk mail, including pre-approved credit cards may allow a crook to open an unauthorized account under you ...

Shopping online is one of the most convenient ways to purchase items without having to go to multiple stores, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Cyber criminals use the web to gain access to personal and financial information in order to purchase items for themselves. Unfortunately, consumers end up paying the price. Here are a few ways to avoid getting hacked:  Update Your Computer Security: When it comes to your computer's security software, avoid ignoring alerts and be sure it is up to date for your protection.  Separate Personal and Financial Activity: Avoid using your personal computer (social media, e-mail, shopping) for financial business, since you are using things such as social media platforms and ordering online. Clicking into certain links can be dangerous, and may allow a virus to enter your computer, granting hackers access to your information. If you own or manage a company, it would be best to use a separate computer.  Two- Factor Authentica ...

E-mail provides us with a convenient, and powerful, communications tool. Unfortunetly, it also allows scammers to lure potential victims. In order to protect yourself from these types of scams, you should understand how they work and what you can do to avoid them. Here are some things you should look out for: Beware of hyperlinks: Watch out for links in e-mails from people or companies you don't recognize. Sometimes, by clicking into these links, you are allowing scammers to enter your computer to access your personal and financial information.  Business/ Investment Opportunities: If someone you don't know is offering you a business or investment opportunity via e-mail, you should mark it as spam right away. Work from Home Schemes: This is considered to be a very old-fashioned fraud scheme. If you would like to work from home, there are plenty of companies willing to hire remote employees. It may be in your best interest to apply directly through a company, instead of mass e-mail link.  O ...

Florida Peninsula's "Charity of the Month" is the American Heart Association. Their mission is "to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." We would like to encourage you to have a healthy and active lifestyle in order to reduce your chances of heart disease. Here are some ways you can live heart-healthy lives: Healthy Eating Habits: A healthy diet consists of meals which support your well-being. Start by making a habit of finding healthier options at the grocery store. For example: if your family is big on snacking, substitute the snacks for fruits and vegetables everyone likes. Eating healthy can be fun, and tasty too! When cooking at home, take a look at healthy recipes online which require nutritious ingredients. Healthy eating for the entire family starts in the kitchen. For more ideas for nutritious recipes, take a look at our Pinterest board.  Healthy Lifestyle: Committing to a strict gym schedule while working full-time may seem impossible, but it is necessary to sq ...