North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Brandi M. Rivera, 40, of 5541 Fountain Grove Circle, Fayetteville, has been charged with insurance fraud.
According to a criminal summons, Rivera filed an auto insurance claim with Geico Insurance Co. saying that an accident occurred on May 8. However, a Fayetteville police accident report showed that the accident occurred on May 4, during a period when her insurance had lapsed. Rivera reinstated her policy with Geico on May 7, the summons says.
Special agents with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Department of Insurance say that when reinstating her insurance, Rivera told Geico that she had not been in an accident during the lapsed period, when she knew that she had been in an accident on May 4.
Rivera was served with a criminal summons on July 16 in Cumberland County.
Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion dollars a year. According to Commissioner Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums -- and it’s getting worse.
"I am determined to stem the tide of insurance fraud in this state in order to save residents money," said Commissioner 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."
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.gov/fraud-control.