thursDay, january 23, 2020
Duo sentenced for $1M crash ring in multiple states
January 22, 2020, Sponake, WA — William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Teresa Ann Gonzalez, age 63, of Otis Orchards, Washington, and Michael Adam White, age 40, of Las Vegas, Nevada were sentenced for their respective participation in an insurance fraud scheme involving staged accidents. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Gonzalez to a 10-month term of imprisonment and White to a 14-month term of imprisonment, to be followed … more info > United States Department of Justice
Driver allegedly lies about auto coverage after California fire
January 22, 2020, Redding, CA — A Redding man has been charged with nine felony counts of insurance fraud after officials say he tried to obtain an “unearned insurance payout” worth more than $43,000 after the Carr Fire. The suspect is Stephen Cortopassi, 64. Officials with the California Department of Insurance said the suspect received more than $1 million for his properly insured property. However, in addition to this, they said he tried to obtain an additional $43,060. … more info > KRCR News
Worst scammers of 2019 dishonored by insurers in New York
January 22, 2020, Queens, NY — A new list highlights millions of dollars in insurance fraud in New York. Insurance fraud leads to higher insurance rates for everyone else. The New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud developed the list from cases that ended with convictions. In one case, New York City Dr. Peter Kalkanis led a fraud ring that launched $32 million of fake slip-and-fall injuries. The ring recruited hundreds of people to stage slip-and-falls and lie they were hurt. … more info > FOX 5 New York
Carolina agent charged with stealing $17.5K of premiums
January 22, 2020, Inman, SC — An Upstate insurance agent has been charged after state agents said he forged insurance certificates and policies and diverted money meant to pay for insurance premiums. According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 33-year-old David Bruce Fowler II was charged with four counts of Forgery and Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent. According to SLED, Fowler is accused of issuing false certificates of liability insurance, false insurance policies, and diverting money from … more info > WSAP News
Delaware making progress in rolling up scammers
January 22, 2020, Dover, DE –The Delaware Department of Insurance made great strides in fraud detection and response during 2019. Throughout the year, 6 criminal arrests that included 21 charges were recommended from the Department’s Fraud Prevention Bureau to the Department of Justice, and 16 civil cases were brought forward resulting in more than $21,000 in fines. The Bureau received 551 referral cases in 2019. “I want to commend our Fraud Prevention Bureau for their work identifying deceitful activity and helping to bring those who … more info > Delaware.gov
Crook pitches Wisconsin woman for fake Medicare card
January 22, 2020, Franklin, WI — If someone calls you claiming to be from Medicare and wants your personal information, you’re right to be suspicious. When Diane Baranowksi of Franklin saw the number, “661-407-2197,” she didn’t recognize it. But with her husband in the hospital, Baranowksi figured the call could be important. “He asked me if I had received my new plastic Medicare card and I said ‘no’ and he said, ‘Oh well, the government is … more info > WTMJ-TV Milwaukee