The California Department of Insurance published a press release announcing the deployment of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), whose objective is to protect consumers from fraud.

There is typically an increase in scammers targeting victims following a catastrophe. Scammers may impersonate insurance companies to attempt to steal from victims, among other things. The Department aims to raise awareness among consumers and will seek the maximum punishment for perpetrators of fraud during these times. Penalties can include fines and prison time.

DART has been deployed to areas impacted by wildfires and will be able to help homeowners understand their coverage, ensure the legitimacy of contractors and vendors, and ensure compliance with regulations.