North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Danielle Deanna Copeland, 39, of 1306 W. Lakewood Ave., Durham, NC. Copeland was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies. She was also charged with driving without liability insurance, a misdemeanor.
According to special agents with the NC Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Copeland attempted to defraud her insurer, Dairyland, out of $2,000 by claiming an auto accident had occurred while she had coverage when in fact she added coverage after the accident. Agents say Copeland added the coverage a few minutes after the accident.
According to the arrest warrant, the offense occurred on June 28, 2024.
Copeland was arrested on August 22 and released on a $7,500 unsecured bond. She appeared in Johnston County District Court on August 29.
“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud. I’m fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.