A former insurance agent from Mount Airy has been charged with multiple felonies related to fraudulent insurance activities. As per the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Matthew Jackson Swift, 42, faces two counts each of insurance fraud, common law forgery, identity theft, and common law uttering, tallying up to eight felonies.
The Department's Criminal Investigations Division uncovered that Swift allegedly used the identity of another person to fraudulently apply and subsequently to unlawfully submit claims for a life insurance policy through Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance. It is reported that the offenses took place on December 1, 2023.
Swift's arrest occurred last Tuesday with the assistance of Surry County Sheriff's Deputies. Following his arrest, Swift was released on a $75,000 secured bond. He is expected to make a court appearance on February 19 in Surry County District Court.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey spoke on the broader impact of insurance fraud, stating that such crimes affect everyone by contributing to higher insurance premiums. "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Commissioner Causey said on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. "It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums." His call to North Carolinians is to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could signify insurance fraud.
