In Hickory, North Carolina, a case of insurance fraud has caught the attention of officials and the community. Audra Lynn Claypoole, a 34-year-old resident, has been charged with felony insurance fraud, as noted by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey last Wednesday. According to state officials, Claypoole filed a fraudulent claim with Integon Indemnity Corp., alleging that a vehicle ran over or hit her foot after a fight with a passenger in that vehicle, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on July 27, was shown to be false by video surveillance indicating that the vehicle never made contact with Claypoole. She was arrested last Wednesday and given a secured bond of $10,000, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to report suspected insurance fraud to help keep costs manageable. "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," he said, adding, "It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums." Citizens can report fraud or other white-collar crimes anonymously by calling the NC Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll-free at 888-680-7684, as stated by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
