friday, june 5, 2020
Uninsured Idaho driver fudges time of crash
June 4, 2020, Ada County, ID — Brittany N. Mars, an Ada County, Idaho, woman who fudged the time of accident in documents to her auto insurer, was sentenced this week for insurance fraud. Mars in February pleaded guilty to insurance fraud. Mars was involved in an auto accident in 2017. An ensuing investigation by the Department of Insurance reportedly showed Mars did not have auto insurance at the time of the accident, but instead purchased a policy shortly after the accident and provided a false accident time to her auto insurer in hopes the damage to the vehicle would be covered. Fourth District Court Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Mars to three years of probation, two days in jail and five days of Sheriff Labor Detail. … more info > Insurance Journal
Cops allegedly collude on towing scams in Ottawa
June 5, 2020, Ottawa, Canada — In the towing industry, they call it “cop connects”: a scam where drivers can make up to $1,000 per “hook” and kick back as much as $500 to the friendly officer that refers his favoured driver to a collision scene. An Ottawa whistleblower says he knows exactly how this corruption is occurring because he also has paid off his “cop connects.” “Absolutely,” he said in an interview with Global News. “Multiple times. Money, motorcycles, cars — multiple times. And not just for accidents. Just for information.” He confronted and covertly recorded an Ottawa police officer at a collision scene in 2018, two years before the RCMP announced anti-corruption probe charges against the 32-year-old officer … more info > Global News
Consumers warned of roofers after San Antonio hail storms
June 4, 2020, San Antonio, TX — Hail damage to thousands of area homes has led to a frenzy of roofing activity. But unsuspecting homeowners need to be extra careful before picking a company to do the repair work. “If you’ve seen hail that’s in the golf ball size range, you can almost take to the bank that you’re going to need a new roof,” says Kevin Yuras, co-owner of Yuras Roofing, a company that’s been in business for 70 years. Longevity is one of several factors homeowners should use when they look for a reputable roofing company. “A good local company that’s been around for a long time,” … more info > News 4 San Antonio
TV story inspires builder to help elderly victim in Denver
June 4, 2020, Denver, CO — Many people are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic but unfortunately, scam artists couldn’t care less. The FOX31 Problem Solvers are receiving complaints about phone and online credit card scams as well as disappearing contractors. A refugee family says they were taken advantage of by a man who talked their elderly mother into giving him $6,000 in cash for needed repairs. They say after taking off the home’s siding, the man never returned. The man did not provide reliable contact information. Consumer experts tell FOX31 this is the time of year when scam artists move state to state taking … more info > KDVR
False cargo-loss claims expected to spike
June 5, 2020, Washington, DC — The Covid-19 pandemic is creating an onslaught of insurance claims, and Segal McCambridge attorneys say the transportation industry is likely facing a spike in cargo loss claims in excess of 250% over the coming years. They look at lessons from the Great Recession in 2008 that can help transportation insurers avoid fraudulent cargo claims. While the insurance industry grapples with the coming influx of Covid-19 litigation, transportation insurers would be wise to use their 2008 playbook for insight into how claims trends will unfold. … more info > Bloomberg Law
Suspect found hiding in closet of West Virginia home
June 4, 2020, Charleston, WV — The Covid-19 pandemic is creating an onslaught of insurance claims, and Segal McCambridge attorneys say the transportation industry is likely facing a spike in cargo loss claims in excess of 250% over the coming years. They look at lessons from the Great Recession in 2008 that can help transportation insurers avoid fraudulent cargo claims. While the insurance industry grapples with the coming influx of Covid-19 litigation, transportation insurers would be wise to use their 2008 playbook for insight into how claims trends will unfold. … more info > The Parkersburg News & Sentinel
FTC: Massachusetts top state for pandemic scams
June 4, 2020, Boston, MA — The pandemic economy has left many people vulnerable to fraud, and a survey from January to May by Expert Insurance Reviews found Massachusetts to be the worst state for COVID-fraud. New York tied for 10th with Maryland. The rankings come from analyzing FTC and Census data to identify how often people filed complaints in each state, how much Americans have lost, and the most frequent kind of scams. While coronavirus-related fraud impacts Americans far and wide, those in Massachusetts complain of scams more than in other states. Major findings from January to May … more info > WWLP