North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Terrell Deon-Ellis Johnson, 41, of 4219 Waterford Valley Circle, Charlotte, was charged with felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Johnson of obtaining an auto insurance policy from National General Insurance Co. the afternoon of Dec. 12, 2018, after his vehicle had been involved in an accident earlier that morning.
According to a criminal summons, Johnson filed a claim for $10,498 with the insurance company on Dec. 13, 2018, saying that the accident occurred at 7 p.m. the previous day.
Johnson was served with a criminal summons on March 11 and given an April 8 date in Mecklenburg County District Court.
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.