North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Vincent E. Johnson, 54, of 1142 Dublin Drive, Winston-Salem. Johnson was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.
According to special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Johnson attempted to defraud Peak Property and Casualty Insurance by opening an auto insurance policy using fictitious bank account information to authorize electronic payments totaling $2,063.52. Shortly after opening the policy, Johnson filed a claim and provided multiple false statements in attempting to receive a $1,215.44 claim payout.
According to the arrest warrants, the offenses occurred between Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, 2024.
Johnson was arrested with the assistance of the Winston-Salem Police Department and placed in the Forsyth County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond. Johnson was scheduled to appear in Forsyth County District Court on Dec. 9.
“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar go 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.