North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today that Blondell Denise Andrews, 51, of 15540 Kenmare Hill Court, Charlotte, has been arrested and charged with one count of insurance fraud and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. Both charges are felonies.
According to special agents with the NC Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Andrews submitted a property damage claim to American National Property and Casualty Company. It included 28 photos depicting mold and water damage to clothes, shoes and property of which she claimed ownership. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that all the images had been downloaded from various websites and that the claim was fraudulent.
Andrews was served a criminal summons on April 1. She is expected to appear in Mecklenburg District County Court on April 30.
“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.