Florida

Property insurance fraud a growing problem in Florida

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2024

Property insurance fraud a growing problem in Florida

BOCA RATON, Fla. — WPTV has brought you a series of stories about the rising costs of property insurance that many Florida residents are calling a crisis.

This has come with several arrests across the Sunshine State related to property insurance fraud — a crime that continues to grow.

At a bond hearing on Oct. 31, Naser Hasan Al-Sweity, the owner of Florida P&C Insurance in Boca Raton, was arraigned on 23 embezzlement and fraud charges.

The charges ranged from misappropriation of insurance funds to fraudulent use of personal identification and organized scheme to defraud.

Similar charges were also brought against four Miami men who were accused of carrying out an insurance fraud scheme in September. Investigators said they attempted to defraud an elderly homeowner of $57,000 in insurance claims.

WPTV

Naser Hasan Al Sweity appeared in a Palm Beach County courtroom on Oct. 31, 2023, to face embezzlement and fraud charges.

Also, a group of four people were arrested in Tampa in December in a roofing fraud scheme.

There was also one arrest in Lee County in December in a $214,000 fraud scheme.

“How big of a problem would you say this is in Florida?” WPTV reporter Jessica Bruno asked Stacey Giulianti, the co-founder of Florida Peninsula Insurance Company in Boca Raton

“Insurance fraud nationwide is a $300 billion a year annual problem,” Giulianti said. “That’s a huge amount of money and in Florida, it’s between $40-$50 billion.”

Stacey Giulianti (left) explains to WPTV investigative reporter Jessica Bruno what residents can do to avoid becoming victims of insurance fraud.

Giulianti said a lot of these bad actors tend to take advantage of communities that have been affected by a natural disaster, like a hurricane.

“One of the biggest ways are out of state, unlicensed contractors and repair personnel coming in, especially after a storm, and they take money upfront to do a job, and they don’t actually do the job,” Giulianti said. “They take the money, they disappear and they’re gone.”

As we start a new year, Giulianti offered some important reminders for homeowners.

“First of all, many insurance companies offer preferred contractors or preferred vendors and those people have been background checked, they’ve been checked out,” Giulianti said. “So if your insurance company offers something like that, utilize that service, it’s a great way to go.”

Residents can also look up the company’s licenses by going to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.

“Type in a name or company name and you’ll find out if they’re licensed in the state of Florida and if it’s an active license,” Giulianti said. “It’s gonna take everybody, customers, the state of Florida and the insurance companies working together to stop this type of fraud.”

The legislative session begins this week and several bills related to property insurance will be up for debate.

WPTV will be live at the state Capitol this week speaking with local lawmakers about the insurance crisis.

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Florida

Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Fantasy 5 results for April 7, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Fantasy 5 results for April 7, 2026

The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 7 drawing

05-15-22-33-37, Mega Ball: 02

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 7 drawing

Midday: 06-20-26-27-33

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 7 drawing

Morning: 09

Matinee: 15

Afternoon: 04

Evening: 15

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 7 drawing

Midday: 2-8, FB: 9

Evening: 8-2, FB: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 7 drawing

Midday: 5-2-2, FB: 9

Evening: 3-7-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 7 drawing

Midday: 8-7-2-5, FB: 9

Evening: 6-6-2-6, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 7 drawing

Midday: 7-1-7-3-0, FB: 9

Evening: 6-3-2-2-7, FB: 8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

Full name
City of residence
Game won
Date won
Amount won
Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.

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Florida

Didn’t get a ticket to Ulta Beauty World in FL? See other make-up conventions

Published

20 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Didn’t get a ticket to Ulta Beauty World in FL? See other make-up conventions

Are you among the 3,000 who scored tickets to Ulta Beauty World or the 3 million who couldn’t nab any?

The nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer is hosting its second-ever convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 16.

Tickets went on sale Jan. 22 for just over $160 per ticket and sold out within minutes, according to reports. Ulta Beauty customers and beauty lovers took to social media to air out their frustration and disappointment, as officials promised to expand access for next year’s event.

For those who didn’t get tickets to Ulta Beauty World, there are still other makeup conventions and expos you can attend, some even in Florida.

Has Ulta dropped more tickets to Ulta Beauty World 2026 in Orlando, Florida?

As of April 7, Ulta has not released any additional tickets for Ulta Beauty World 2026 and has no plans to do so.

In a statement after the tickets sold out, Ulta said it would host giveaways for event tickets. In February, the company announced it was giving away 50 pairs of tickets.

As of March, the giveaway is closed, and all the winners have been notified.

See other beauty conventions in Florida

Premiere Orlando is set for May 30 through June 1, 2026, with over 760 education classes, 400 educators and influencers, and 500 exhibiting brands. Like Ulta Beauty World, it will be located at the Orange County Convention Center.

However, it is only open to members and students of the professional beauty industry. Verification of credentials is required for all attendees. Check here for tickets.

There will be a similar convention at the start of 2027, with Cosmoprof North America spending its third year in Miami. The trade show says it is the only event in the Americas that “brings together the entire beauty industry—from skin care and makeup to fragrance, hair, and nails, while also representing the entire beauty supply chain.”

Tickets are not open to the general public, as they connect businesses. For those interested, tickets go onsale in August 2026.

Not in Florida? See other makeup conventions in the US

The MakeUp Show is a convention open to anyone who works, studies or is interested in the beauty industry. It will be held in New York City from May 3 through May 4, with over 100 of the top beauty brands.

Tickets are still onsale, with prices starting at $54.

For those looking for an event similar to Ulta Beauty World, SEPHORiA is a multi-day expo for beauty lovers hosted by beauty retailer Sephora. It offers access to “breaking beauty news, master classes taught by beauty icons, talent meet-and-greets, and an on-site shop with exclusive merch and products only available for purchase at SEPHORiA.”

This year’s convention was held in March. Details for SEPHORiA 2027 have not yet been announced, as of April 2026.

Did you score a ticket to 2026 Ulta Beauty World in Orlando, Florida? What to know before you go

Before you head into the convention, you will need to pay for parking, which costs $20 at the Orange County Convention Center. You may leave items in your car and return to the convention throughout the day.

You’ll find your ticket located in your email. A government-issued ID will be required for access and must match the first and last name on the ticket confirmation.

On its website, it states that the only rolling bag permitted on the expo floor is the Ulta Beauty roller bag, available for sale at registration for $50. All other bags are acceptable, provided they do not have wheels.

Before you head out, you should receive a swag bag valued at more than $2,000.

Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

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Florida

Florida Lottery Powerball, Fantasy 5 results for April 6, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Winning Powerball numbers from April 6 drawing

07-24-37-42-57, Powerball: 05, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 6 drawing

Midday: 03-10-22-23-27

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 6 drawing

Morning: 09

Matinee: 07

Afternoon: 05

Evening: 13

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 6 drawing

Midday: 8-8, FB: 5

Evening: 1-9, FB: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 6 drawing

Midday: 9-9-3, FB: 5

Evening: 2-2-4, FB: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 6 drawing

Midday: 5-8-0-3, FB: 5

Evening: 4-2-3-3, FB: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 6 drawing

Midday: 4-8-3-4-0, FB: 5

Evening: 7-8-5-7-0, FB: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

Full name
City of residence
Game won
Date won
Amount won
Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.

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