Friday, July 23, 2021

Charlotte man charged with insurance fraud in reported theft of mink coats

RALEIGH
Jul 23, 2021

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Darrell Howard, 52, of 3546 Durham Lane, Charlotte, was charged with insurance fraud, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement on an insurance application.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Howard of listing four men’s mink coats, valued at $20,000, on a report of stolen property with State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. when the coats were not actually stolen.

The offenses occurred between Nov. 3, 2019, and July 31, 2020.

Special agents served Howard with a criminal summons on July 14. He is due in Mecklenburg County District Court on Nov. 15.

“Insurance fraud hurts consumers,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20% of your insurance premium goes to cover the cost of fraud. That’s why I’m aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may report fraud anonymously by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.

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