North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Teyerra Shontel Woods, 26, of 909 S. Second St., Smithfield. Woods was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Woods of submitting photographs obtained from the internet of property not belonging to her in an attempt to obtain $2,076 in a renters’ insurance claim from Liberty Mutual.
According to the arrest warrant, Woods claimed that her ceiling caved in and damaged a video game device, clothes, a touchscreen computer and a 75-inch smart television.
The offense occurred on Jan. 24.
Woods turned herself in to Johnston County authorities on Feb. 4. She was released on $30,000 unsecured bond.
Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.
“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Commissioner Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”
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.