N.C. Insurance Commissioner Causey: Onslow County Man Charged With Insurance Fraud and Obtaining Property by False Pretense

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 1 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of William Ryan Chesson, 27, of 398 Frisco Dr., Holly Ridge. Chesson was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special agents from the NC Department of Insurance accuse Chesson of attempting to defraud State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company by reporting damage to several personal items resulting from a water leak. The investigation determined that the two of the items were damaged by other means. Chesson also submitted altered repair invoices to State Farm. As a result of this fraudulent claim, Chesson received a partial payment in the amount of $2,007.99.

According to the arrest warrant, the offense occurred on July 22.

Chesson was arrested on Nov. 16 and released by Onslow County authorities on Nov. 22 under a $20,000 unsecured bond.

"Property and casualty insurance fraud costs insurance customers an estimated $120 billion a year in increased premiums," said Commissioner Causey. "The Department of Insurance has beefed up its fraud-fighting staff in an effort to make more arrests to keep fraud from driving up insurance costs."

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.