North Carolina Man Charged with Insurance Fraud Over Stolen Trailer Claim

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced the arrest of Dale McKinley Montford, 55, of Jacksonville; he is charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count each of obtaining property by false pretense, attempting to obtain property by false pretense, making a false report to police and rate evasion.

NCDOI criminal investigators accuse Montford of attempting to fraudulently obtain payment by filing a false claim with National General Insurance Co. on Nov. 16, 2015, that his trailer was stolen from a construction site. Investigators allege Montford provided false information about the purchase and value of the trailer, his location at the time of the alleged loss and his prior claims history. Investigators also accuse Montford of rate evasion for failing to disclose to the insurance company that he frequently traveled beyond a 50-mile radius from his home for business.

Investigators allege Montford fraudulently obtained $3,600 from National General Insurance Co. in January 2015 after making a false claim of vandalism to a vehicle.

Montford was arrested on March 9 in Onslow County and placed under a $3,000 bond.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 1,500 arrests, resulting in more than 750 criminal convictions with more than 250 cases currently pending court. These efforts have delivered more than $72.1 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance

Topics Fraud North Carolina