North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Matthew David Lay, 24, of 681 Julian Oakley Road, Rougement, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Lay of falsely telling Geico Indemnity Co. that an accident involving his 2005 Chevrolet truck happened in August 2018 when it occurred in February 2018, when he did not have insurance on the truck.
According to a criminal summons, Geico paid Lay $6,296.42 for the loss of the truck.
The offense occurred between Aug. 10, 2018, and April 30, 2019.
Lay was served with a criminal summons on July 16. He is due in Person County District Court on Aug. 22.
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.