North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Cynthia Lee Collins, 55, of 355 Parker Road, New Bern. Collins is charged with six counts of insurance fraud and six counts of obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies.
Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Collins of obtaining $2,601.25 from Aflac for medical visits that did not occur.
According to the arrest warrants, most of the charges relate to filing discharge paperwork for visits to Carolina East Health System that did not occur. Another relates to a claim for an annual physical at the Craven County Health Department that did not occur and six follow-up visits to Coastal Children’s Clinic that did not occur, the warrants say.
The offenses occurred between Oct. 30, 2016, and Aug. 21, 2018.
Special Agents along with Craven County deputies arrested Collins on Dec. 15. She was given a $15,000 secured bond.
Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians nearly 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums. 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.