A Forsyth County man has found himself in hot water after being charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. The man, identified as Vincent E. Johnson, 54, of Winston-Salem, was taken into custody following an investigation by the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division. The charges stem from Johnson's alleged attempts to hoodwink Peak Property and Casualty Insurance.
Special agents accuse Johnson of having to quickly devise a scheme to defraud the insurance company by opening an auto insurance policy with bogus bank account details. Within a short period, Johnson then filed a claim, during which he provided multiple false statements in an effort to receive a payout amounting to $1,215.44. The total value of the electronic payments he attempted to authorize incorrectly clocked in at a sum of $2,063.52. These incidents reportedly occurred over a week's span, starting from January 24 to January 31 of the year 2024.
Upon his arrest, which was executed with the aid of the Winston-Salem Police Department, Johnson was placed in the Forsyth County Detention Center. According to details shared by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, a bond was set at $10,000. Johnson had his day in court, scheduled for Monday, in the Forsyth County District Court.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey stressed the severe impact of insurance fraud on consumers, pointing out, "Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet." He emphasized that nearly "20 cents of every insurance premium dollar go to covering the cost of fraud." In his statement, Commissioner Causey revealed a determined position to actively combat and prosecute such frauds across North Carolina, as stated by North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Those who suspect insurance fraud or encounter any forms of white-collar crimes are encouraged to report them. The N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division has set up a hotline to receive anonymous tips, accessible at 919-807-6840 or toll-free from any North Carolina location at 888-680-7684. More details on this case are available on the Department's official release, which can be visited by navigating to their press release.
