North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Deatra Yolanda Wallace, 47, of 3314 Erskine Drive, Charlotte, was charged with felony insurance fraud.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Wallace of providing false or misleading information to Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. by claiming that items were stolen from her residence between Jan 13-17.
According to the criminal summons, the photos of the reported stolen items were captured on Jan. 21, days after she claimed they were stolen.
Special Agents, along with Mecklenburg County deputies, served the criminal summons on Wallace on May 23. She is due in Mecklenburg County District Court on July 23.
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.