Florida Officials Alert Public to Scam

The Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office announced it is alerting the public to an individual named Luis M. Quintana, age 29, of 12065 Sunset Point Ct, Wellington, who has allegedly sold fraudulent homeowners and automobile insurance policies to unsuspecting buyers claiming they would be insured by Allstate Insurance Company. Officials believe these unknown victims think they are insured when they actually have been defrauded.

On May 29, 2003, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Detective Wayne Smith arrested Quintana on a third degree felony, Failure to Report Funds and Grand Theft. The victim in this case, Robert Samuels, purchased a homeowner’s policy from Quintana on November 22, 2002, with a check made out to “Quintana Insurance Company,” which is not a valid company, in the amount of $1,431. Quintana reportedly then altered the check and deposited it into his private account.

Quintana acted as an agent for a legitimate insurance agency named Adamson Insurance Company Inc. located in Jupiter, Fla. and falsely told the homeowner he would be getting a copy of a policy from Allstate Insurance Company.

The Department of Financial Services for the State of Florida has been working with Detective Smith. They have issued an emergency suspension order which prevents Quintana from writing insurance policies.

Smith has identified a few additional victims but believes there may be a substantial number of additional victims in Palm Beach County. Anyone who has purchased policies through Quintana over the last year should check to make sure they are insured.

Anyone who thinks they have been defrauded they should contact Detective Wayne Smith at (561) 274-1062. Also, the public may contact the State of Florida Department of Financial Services, Consumer Assistance Program at (800) 342-2762.