White-collar crimes, such as embezzlement, tax fraud, identity theft or insurance fraud occur every day in North Carolina. These crimes are taken very seriously by the authorities, so it is important to understand how to defend against such allegations.
A Wilmington, North Carolina, husband and wife have recently been accused of committing insurance fraud. According to police, the 30-year-old man and the 27-year-old woman attempted to claim over $63,000 in unlawful insurance payments from two area insurance companies.
The couple allegedly filed wrongful claims several times. In January 2010 the couple allegedly reported to their insurance company items that were stolen from their apartment. In June 2010 and September 2010, the couple allegedly filed insurance claims for car crashes. And in September 2013 the couple allegedly filed an insurance claim for a car fire. The man and woman have been charged with trying to secure property by using false pretenses and insurance fraud.
Fraud charges, like other white-collar crimes, may not seem as serious as violent crimes. However, those accused of white-collar crimes do face stiff penalties should they be convicted. In addition to restitution, they may face fines, jail time and incur a criminal record that could make it difficult for them to find a job or housing.
In no way are these consequences desirable. Therefore, it is important for anyone facing charges of white-collar crimes to come up with a solid strategy of defense. With the right help, the accused may be able to develop a solid argument that leaves no stone unturned. Doing so may result in the charges against the accused being reduced or even dropped altogether.
Source: wwaytv3.com, “Couple accused of insurance fraud,” Elizabeth Bynum, Dec. 1, 2014
