A Rockingham County man has found himself on the wrong side of the law, facing charges of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. Wayne Anthony Artis, 45, from Eden, was cuffed after he allegedly reported fraudulent information to his insurance company, Progressive Southeastern Insurance Group. According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Artis claimed his vehicle's windows were vandalized while he had coverage, but in truth, the damage was already there before his policy kicked in.

Investigators with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division, which detailed the deceiving incident, stated that the damage to Artis's car totaled up to $1,406.07. Running afoul of the law on January 2, Artis was subsequently arrested last Wednesday. Following his arrest, he was handed a $1,500 secured bond.

Insurance fraud, as North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey points out, directly impacts the wallets of honest consumers. Each year, an estimated 20 cents from every insurance premium dollar is believed to be spent on covering the costs of fraudulent claims. "Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet," Causey was quoted in a press release. He adds, "I'm fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina," as per the North Carolina Department of Insurance report.

Made to appear in Rockingham County District Court, Artis is scheduled for December 12, his fate awaiting in the hands of justice. As these proceedings unfold, Commissioner Causey and his team remain vigilant, keeping a tight leash on insurance fraud, which continues to be a sneaky thief in the night, stealing from the pockets of policyholders.