The North Carolina Department of Insurance announced multiple fraud enforcement actions during the month of July.
Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion dollars a year. According to North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums.
“I am determined to stem the tide of insurance fraud in this state in order to save residents money,” said Causey. “That’s why I am dedicated to the mission of our NCDOI law enforcement officers who investigate and prosecute claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud.”
Details of the incidents, as reported by NCDOI, are as follows:
Monroe Man Accused of Presenting Fraudulent Auto Repair Invoice
Gary Miller of Monroe, N.C., was charged with felony insurance fraud, according to a July 3 statement from North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.
Special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accused Miller of presenting a fraudulent invoice for auto body repair work that was never performed to Allstate Insurance Co.
The action was aimed at increasing the value of a vehicle that Miller had reported as stolen, according to the arrest warrant.
The actions occurred between Oct. 17-24, 2017, according to the warrant. Miller was arrested on May 30.
Rocky Mount Woman Charged with Felony Insurance Fraud, Making False Report
Lashunda Bobbitt of Rocky Mount, N.C., was charged with felony insurance fraud and making a false report to police, which is a misdemeanor, NCDOI reported on July 3.
According to the arrest warrant, Bobbitt is alleged to have filed a false report with Enfield police, saying that she was pulled out of the driver’s seat of a stolen 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Bobbitt of filing a fraudulent stolen vehicle claim with MetLife Auto and Home Insurance Co.
The offenses occurred in Halifax County between March 11 and May 21, according to the warrant. Bobbitt was arrested on May 31 in Halifax County and released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
Raleigh Man Arrested for Filing False Auto Claim with USAA
Clyde Lee Crawford of Raleigh was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense, according to a July 12 statement from NCDOI.
Special agents with the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division accuse Crawford of falsely reporting lost items to USAA Insurance in an attempt to obtain $3,109 on an auto policy.
According to the warrant, Crawford falsely reported that an iPad, a wedding band, and a USMC ring were lost.
The offense occurred between Dec. 30, 2017, and June 18, 2018. Crawford was arrested on June 19 and placed under a $6,000 secured bond.
Fayetteville Man Charged with Insurance Fraud, Identity Theft, Obtaining Property by False Pretense
Miguel Rodriguez of Fayetteville. was charged with felony insurance fraud, felony obtaining property by false pretense, and two counts of felony identity theft, NCDOI reported on July 12.
Special agents from the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division accuse Rodriguez of falsely representing himself under the name of Nelson Lopez when filing auto accident claims. Rodriguez received two electronic checks totaling $10,931 from Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., according to arrest warrants.
One identity theft offense occurred on July 5, 2014, while the remaining offenses occurred between March 23, 2017, and Aug. 14, 2017, according to the warrants.
Rodriguez was arrested on June 13 in Cumberland County and placed under a $12,000 secured bond.
Craven County Woman Accused of Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Kimberly Ann Sutton was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretense and two counts of workers’ compensation fraud in Craven County, according to a July 19 statement by NCDOI.
Fraud Investigators with the North Carolina Industrial Commission accuse Sutton of working while receiving workers’ compensation benefits from the State of North Carolina and failing to disclose that she was working for another employer in violation of North Carolina law.
Sutton is also accused of making misrepresentations on two North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 90’s and failing to disclose she was working while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. As a result, Sutton is alleged to have unlawfully received $64,040 in benefits.
The New Bern Police Department served the warrants to Ms. Sutton.
The Industrial Commission’s Fraud Investigative Division consists of six fraud investigators and an administrative assistant who work collectively investigating suspected workers’ compensation fraud and violations of the Workers’ Compensation Act.
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigation Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.
Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance
Topics Trends Auto Fraud Workers' Compensation North Carolina
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