North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Jhueate Elijah Andrews, 19, of 2311 Portola Court, Charlotte, was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Andrews of telling Nationwide Insurance Co. of America, in an auto insurance claim, that damage to his vehicle occurred during a hit and run when the damage occurred much earlier, before he bought the vehicle.
The offense occurred on June 22.
Andrews was served with a criminal summons on Aug. 27. He is due in Mecklenburg County District Court on Feb. 4, 2021.
Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums, maybe more. That's why he has cracked down on this white-collar crime by boosting the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division.
Over the past two years, CID Special Agents recovered $7.5 million in damages – money that was returned to consumers and insurance companies. The restitution also helps preserve insurance rates.
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.