After the Flames: Preparing for the Growing Fraud Threat in Los Angeles

Fraudsters target both insurance carriers and vulnerable individuals, preying on survivors of natural disasters—and California’s wildfires will be no exception. These criminals use false promises and fraudulent schemes to exploit emotionally drained victims.
In 20 years of leading special investigation units (SIUs) for a large national property/casualty insurance carrier, I have seen how quickly fraud evolves to exploit hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and now wildfires. It is imperative that insurance professionals—from agents to claims staff—recognize the warning signs. Equally important is the opportunity to educate customers on how to protect themselves from becoming targets.

Read the full article. Claims Journal, by Richard Wickliffe, March 21, 2025