Calif. Insurance Department: Whittier Ex-insurance Agent Arrested for Grand Theft and Identity Theft

LOS ANGELES, California, Sept. 27 -- The California Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

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- Whittier ex-insurance agent arrested for grand theft and identity theft

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Ex-insurance agent Yolanda De La Torre, 35, of Whittier, was arrested today on one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of identity theft after allegedly collecting over $13,000 in insurance payments from approximately 10 clients and leaving her clients uninsured.

De La Torre, as a licensed insurance agent doing business as Yoly's Insurance Services, collected payments from clients for car insurance but failed to place it with an insurance company or pay premiums leading to cancellations. The department revoked De La Torre's license and licensing rights on June 11, 2019, in order to protect consumers.

The department's investigation found that De La Torre accepted "cash only" payments and would pay the victims' initial insurance payment, allow the premiums to be cancelled for non-payment yet continue to accept monthly payments from the victims. De La Torre also made unauthorized electronic payments with an unsuspecting victim's checking account to pay for another client's insurance coverage.

Some of De La Torre's victims became aware of the crimes when they were in car accidents and upon filing a claim with the insurance company found they had no coverage or their coverage had been cancelled for non-payment. Other victims became aware when they received notices from the DMV indicating registration was suspended due to no proof of insurance.

This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

When searching for an agent, consumers can visit the Department's website to check license status (http://www.insurance.ca.gov/license-status/index.cfm).

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The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $310 billion in premiums annually in California. Since 2011 the California Department of Insurance received more than 1,000,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $469 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.4357. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.