Fraud - the crime we all pay for!
What is Insurance Fraud?
Insurance
fraud occurs when anyone tries to make money from insurance transactions by
deception.
Insurance
fraud is the second most costly white-collar crime in the U.S. behind tax
evasion.
Insurance
fraud costs the average Virginia household $1,000.00 a year.
Nationwide, insurance fraud robs us of nearly $80 billion a year.
More than
1 of every 3 bodily-injury claims from car crashes involves fraud.
Arson and
suspected arson account for nearly 500,000 fires a year, or 1 of every 4 fires
in the U.S.
What you can do to protect yourself?
Insurance
fraud is a crime, and the Alfa Alliance Insurance Corp. Fraud Unit works with
the Virginia State Police, along with other law enforcement and fire protection
agencies to stop it.
Here’s how you can help:
Be
aware
of staged
accidents, such as intentional sideswiping or cars that cut in front of other
vehicles, forcing collisions due to quick stops. Keep a safe distance between
you and the vehicles in front or beside you.
Be
aware
of
individuals that try to get you to leave the scene of an accident without
calling the police or obtaining a police report. Carry a disposable camera or
use your cell-phone camera at the scene to take photos immediately after an
accident.
Be
aware
of
individuals that claim no previous injuries or continue unnecessary medical
treatment which inflates their medical benefits. Avoid solicitations from
individuals offering legal or medical services immediately following an
accident.
Be
aware
of fraud
rings that specialize in “slip and fall” schemes with fake injuries and faked
claims.
Be
aware
of
individuals reporting fake burglary or theft claims. Always lock the doors to
your vehicle or your home, remove your keys from the ignition or door lock,
close your windows completely and park in well-lit areas. Avoid leaving personal
articles in your vehicle.
Be
aware
that some
individuals report damage as vandalism in an attempt to cover deliberate or
previous damage to one’s own property.
Be
aware
of
individuals making a false stolen vehicle claim to cover previous damage to a
vehicle or to dispose of the vehicle.
Be
aware
of the
possibility that someone may set a fire in their home to obtain a new paint or
remodeling job, to alleviate financial problems such as heavy debts or pending
foreclosures, to replace old or damaged equipment and household goods, to
dispose of illegal chemicals or to cover other crimes, such as tax evasion or
financial scams.
Be
aware
that
individuals may change a genuine claim to inflate the loss to recover past
premiums.
Be
aware
of
individuals that inflate genuine claims to cover a policy deductible.
Be
aware
of
attempts to convince you that “everybody is getting rich” so you may as well try
to get additional money also.
Be
aware
of
dishonest door-to-door contractors offering repair services. Work with only
licensed and insured contractors. Get more than one estimate, don’t be pushed
into signing a contract immediately, get everything in writing, require
references and check them out. Never pay a contractor in full or sign a
completion certificate until the work is completed.
Reporting
Suspected Fraud.
If you have
knowledge of a fraudulent scheme or suspicious claim, you may report the
activity to Alfa Alliance Insurance Corp. by:
Completing our on-line reporting form
Calling 1-800-839-3941
Emailing us at
Fraud@alfaaic.com
You
may also download a reporting form in PDF format and mail forms to:
Alfa
Alliance Insurance Corp.
Insurance Fraud Unit
PO Box 2460
Glen Allen, VA 23058-2460
Or fax form to 1-800-864-0084.
