Four Charged With Insurance Fraud In Roof Damage Scheme
May 11--Four men have been charged by the N.C. Department of Insurance with purposely damaging roofs in Davidson and Cabarrus counties in order to obtain false insurance payments.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrests of Phillip Brandon Edwards, Mark William Madison, Joel Jayson Smith and Brandon Richard Turner on charges including insurance fraud, felony conspiracy, injury to real property and attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
"According to the FBI, insurance fraud costs the average family between $400 and $700 per year in the form of increased premiums," Causey said in a news release. "Consumer protection is my number one priority and I will continue to fight insurance fraud with your help."
Edwards, 33, of 15 Miosha St., Durham, was charged with one count of felony conspiracy in Davidson County. He was arrested Jan. 26 in Durham County and placed under a $6,000 bond.
Smith, 30, of 4123 Amber Stone Way, Durham, was charged with one count each of insurance fraud, attempting to obtain property by false pretense and injury to real property in Davidson County. Smith was arrested Jan. 25 in Davidson County and placed under a $50,000 bond.
Turner, 37, of 2418 Daniel St., Charlotte, was charged with one count of injury to real property in Davidson County. Turner was arrested Feb. 4 in Davidson County and placed under a $2,500 bond.
Madison, 33, of 877 Old Cedar Circle, York, South Carolina, was charged with one count each of insurance fraud, attempting to obtain property by false pretense and injury to real property in Cabarrus County. Madison was arrested April 21 in Cabarrus County and placed under a $3,000 bond.
Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Edwards, Madison, Smith and Turner of conspiring to defraud and receive insurance payment from United Services Automobile Association by providing false and misleading statements in regard to roofing damages. Investigators allege Edwards, Madison, Smith and Turner deliberately damaged at least two homes to obtain insurance payment under false pretense.
Agencies that assisted with the investigation include The National Insurance Crime Bureau, Thomasville Police Department, Davidson County Sheriff's Office and Concord Police Department.
In 2014 and 2015, the National Insurance Crime Bureau received over 150 referral complaints on potential fraudulent roofing claims in North Carolina. Complaints primarily consist of damage to shingles and roofing components with claims submitted for wind and hail damage. Other complaints consist of inflated damage and repair costs. These types of claims and complaints continue to rise.
Officials ask that anyone suspecting insurance fraud notify the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division. Report fraud by calling (919) 807-6840, emailing [email protected] or visiting the Online Fraud Reporting System at http://www.ncdoi.com/Investigations/Report_Insurance_Fraud.aspx.
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