RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 17 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Shanay Poole Parsons, 34, of 4398 Golden Lane, Claremont; she is charged with two counts of insurance fraud, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, and one count each of financial identity theft and felony accessing computers.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Parsons of using another person's identity to file a false claim with the insurance company of a Hickory IHOP that she and her son contracted food poisoning from the restaurant. Investigators allege that Parsons created fraudulent billing documents and treatment statements from Caldwell Memorial Hospital stating she had paid $17,659.67 to the hospital, then submitted those documents to PMA Insurance Company for reimbursement. Hospital billing representatives reported the case to the Department of Insurance.

Criminal investigators discovered that Parsons had filed another food poisoning claim in November 2011 with the insurance company of a Taylorsville Wendy's restaurant. Investigators allege that Parsons created fraudulent billing documents and treatment statements from Caldwell Memorial Hospital and submitted those documents to Nationwide Insurance Company, for which she was paid $4,750.07.

Parsons was indicted by a Catawba County grand jury and she turned herself in on Aug. 16 to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. She was released on a $5,000 secured bond and her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Catawba County, where the fraudulent claims were submitted.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have received more than 14,000 complaints, resulting in 602 arrests, 333 criminal convictions and more than 110 pending court cases. These efforts have delivered more than $48.5 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.

TNS hc11-120818-JF78-3993388 StaffFurigay