A Wilmington woman has found herself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with identity theft and insurance fraud. The woman in question, 31-year-old Keshawn Dupree Bradley, is accused of using another individual's name and date of birth to fraudulently procure an automobile insurance policy from Nationwide Insurance Company, according to the press release from the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
The fraudulent activity reportedly took place on January 15, 2024. Special agents working with the Department's Criminal Investigations Division facilitated Bradley's arrest on April 11. She was subsequently given a $5,000 secured bond and had a court appearance scheduled for April 14 at the New Hanover County District Court. It's clear that such deceptive maneuvers to manipulate the system casts a long shadow over the concept of trust in our collective engagements with insurance entities.
With a stern approach to these violations, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey emphasized the repercussions of insurance fraud on society. "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Commissioner Causey said in the statement obtained by the N.C. Department of Insurance. He noted that such crimes result in higher insurance premiums for all, effectively picking the pockets of honest citizens across the board.
Commissioner Causey, staying steadfast to the mission of his office, urges the populace of North Carolina to take a proactive stand against such deceptions. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities that could be indicative of insurance fraud or akin white-collar crimes. Reports can be made anonymously by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at their hotline. This engagement by community members is not just a civic duty, but a safeguard for our collective financial wellbeing, anchoring the efforts to keep insurance premiums from unjustly inflating.
As the case against Bradley proceeds, it serves as a reminder that the fight against these veiled transgressions is relentless. Members of the public have a tool at their disposal: to report any suspicions of fraud, they may call the Division at 919-807-6840, or, for those residing outside of the Raleigh area, toll-free at 888-680-7684.
