Community Outreach Programs

The Department of Financial Services offers free community outreach programs on a variety of topics to help you make sound financial decisions and avoid becoming a victim of insurance or financial fraud. Speakers are available on the topic of your choice and will work with you to tailor programs to your group’s needs. Choose from one of the topics listed here or call us with your requests. For more information, please contact the service office in your area, or call toll-free 1-800-342-2762.

Consumer Protection Topics

• Consumer Beware: Insurance
  Scams and Financial Fraud
  
• Wheels, Deals and Credit Card Spiels
  Are You Covered? Avoid Illegal Insurance Practices
  
• Predatory Lending
  
• Living in a Danger Zone:
  Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness
  
• New to Florida?
  How to Cover Your Assets
  
• Young Drivers
  
• Insurance and Financial Needs
  in the Golden Years
  
• Health, HMOs, Long-Term Care and Medicare Supplement Insurance
  
• Small-Business Insurance Needs
  
• Workers’ Compensation

Protecting Your Privacy

Your Insurers and Financial Institutions

Under federal law, some banks and insurance companies may have the right to share sensitive and personal information about you with other entities and business interests—without your permission.

Fortunately, Florida laws, and rules established by the Department of Financial Services, provide a way for you to protect this personal information. As the policyholder, you must take the lead in protecting your personal information.

You may have already received, or soon will receive, privacy notices from the financial and insurance companies you do business with. These forms give you the opportunity to tell the company that you want your personal information kept private. Unless you complete and return these forms, your personal financial and medical information may be shared with other companies. You may receive these forms on an annual basis, and be required to complete them to keep your information confidential.

When you receive a privacy notice form, read it carefully before signing it to avoid unintentionally giving the company permission to share information about you. If you have questions or concerns about these forms, call the Consumer Helpline toll-free at 1-800-342-2762.