North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Viola Brewer Harrell, 51, of 114 Roger Lane, Ahoskie, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies.
According to the criminal summons, Harrell provided false and misleading statements to Integon Indemnity Corp. in an attempt to obtain $1,347.63 in an automobile insurance claim. Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Harrell of misrepresenting when the damage to her vehicle occurred.
The offense occurred Feb. 6.
Harrell was served with a criminal summons on March 20. She is scheduled to appear in Hertford County District Court on April 9.
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.