reporting suspected insurance fraud dennis pompa associate commissioner 512-463-6492
TRANSCRIPT
Reporting Requirements – Texas Ins Code §701.051
A person must report fraud not later than the 30th day after he makes a determination or reasonably suspects that a fraudulent insurance act has been or is about to committed in this state.
A person shall make the report of suspected fraud in writing to the insurance fraud unit.
The report shall be made in a format prescribed by the Fraud Unit or NAIC.
Texas Antifraud Plans
TIC §704.051 Antifraud Plan Required for Certain Plan Issuers Prescribes the statutory requirement for establishing
an antifraud plan.
TIC §704.054 Filing of Antifraud Plan Insurers may file their plan with the Fraud Unit
annually.
TDI’s Fraud Unit
Receives reports of suspected insurance fraud (10,000 yearly).
Interview suspects and witnesses.
Acquire and analyze financial, business, and legal documents; follow the flow of money.
Prepare comprehensive investigative reports for submission to a prosecuting agency.
Elements of a Comprehensive Suspected Fraud Report
Tell us about who was involved in the fraud. Provide as much identifying information on all
persons involved. Vehicles or personal property details.
Explain when the fraud occurred or when the claim was reported and how it was reported.
Where did the fraud occur.
Explain efforts taken to contact parties involved in the fraud.
Elements of a Comprehensive Suspected Fraud Report - Continued
Its important to know if the claim has been paid. Please include the amount, denied or pending $$.
Tell us why you suspect the claim is fraudulent.
Tell us about the documents you have to support your allegations.
Submit your contact information.
When Reporting Insurance Fraud
Submit a Copy of the Policy or Declaration page.
Submit an official affidavit attesting to the authenticity of the records.
Copies of recorded transcripts are good, but also include a duplicate copy of the audio recording.
Be Detailed Explain Everything
Fraud Trends
Theft of Premiums – Agents
Disability Fraud
Disappearing Auto’s (owner give up)
Medical Provider Fraud
Medical Identity Theft
Misrepresenting Beneficiary (health)
Fraud Trends - Continued
Unlicensed Health Ins Plans
Mortgage Fraud (Title – Escrow)
Disaster Fraud
Application Fraud – ID Theft
Disability Claim Fraud
Economic Related Fraud
TDI’s Investigation Process
Case assigned to an investigator who is responsible for developing additional facts.
90 day updates to the complainant.
Concluded investigation submitted to a prosecuting agency having venue over the offense.
Recent Fraud Case
Brenda Buckaloo-Merchant, a former supervising claims adjuster schemed to approve claims and divert payment checks over $1.2 Million to a fictitious health care provider that was in reality her. She used the money for personal purchases including foreign travel, gambling, gifts for friends, and her local ministry.
She plead guilty in Dallas to 1st Degree Felony Theft, sentenced to twelve years in the Texas Department of Corrections, fined $3,000, and ordered to pay restitution of $1,208,316.
Hurricane Ike Fraud Stat’s Reports of Fraud
76 Agent Fraud 23 Adjuster Fraud 428 Disaster Claim Fraud
Cases Opened for Investigation 31 Agent Fraud 1 Adjuster Fraud 60 Disaster Claim Fraud
Cases Referred for Prosecution 10 Agent Fraud 18 Disaster Claim Fraud
Statistics – Fiscal Year 2009Fraud reports received 11,021
Calls received toll-free Hotline 5,451
Cases opened for investigation 637
Cases referred for prosecution 206
Amount of fraud identified in referred cases $18,079,014
Indictments resulting from investigations 148
Convictions from cases referred 125
Restitution assessed by courts on Fraud Unit cases $7,449,148
Subpoenas issued 439
Open records requests processed 145
www.tdi.state.tx.us
Fraud Resources Link’s
Annual Fraud Conference
Annual Report to the Commissioner
Top 10 Cases for FY 2009
Search engine for insurance fraud indictments and convictions.
On-line reporting for consumer’s and SIU’s.