California, LA County combat wildfire insurance fraud

California officials have launched a rapid response initiative to combat insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized that scammers often exploit vulnerable victims during recovery, and their partnership aims to raise awareness and provide essential tools to protect survivors. The initiative involves the deployment of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to assist affected residents by educating them about their rights and ensuring compliance among contractors. Hochman pledged that the D.A.'s office will aggressively prosecute fraud cases, sending a strong warning to scammers. This effort coincides with rising concerns about fraudulent donation campaigns related to the wildfires, with officials urging residents to donate only to reputable organizations. The coordinated approach seeks to safeguard both wildfire victims and the integrity of recovery efforts against unscrupulous actors.