North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Tianda Patrice Tuft, 37, of 307 Ranelagh Drive, Waxhaw, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Tuft of filing a claim with Geico Insurance Co. for damage to a vehicle while knowing that the damage was from a previous claim with a different insurance company.
According to the criminal summons, the offenses occurred between Nov. 5, 2018, and Jan. 2, 2019.
Special Agents, along with Union County deputies, served Tuft with a criminal summons on Feb. 18. She is scheduled to appear in court in Union County on March 14.
Fraud is felt every time consumers pay their insurance premiums. Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums.
"Insurance fraud affects our economy. Not only does it damage insurance companies, it cheats businesses and consumers too," Commissioner Causey said. "This kind of white-collar crime is unacceptable. That's why I've doubled the number of Special Agents to investigate insurance fraud. Cracking down on fraud will put more money in the pockets of businesses and consumers.”.
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840.
Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.