Thomasville man charged by state with insurance fraud for accident cleanup

Mar. 16—A Thomasville man has been arrested and charged by the state with insurance fraud after attempting to collect money from a driver to clean up automotive fluids after a wreck.

Garrett Scarlette, 26, of 3830 Cunningham Road, Thomasville, was charged with insurance fraud and attempted obtaining property under false pretense.

According to information provided by the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division, Scarlette attempted to collect money from the driver of a car that wrecked in Guilford County on Nov. 4 for the cleanup of motor vehicle fluid that was not authorized. He is also accused of trying to collect on a claim with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Co. for the same unauthorized roadside cleanup.

Special agents arrested Scarlette on March 9. He was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and has his first court appearance in Davidson County District Court on March 16.

"It troubles me that some people think insurance fraud is a victimless crime," North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said. "Nearly 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to cover the cost of insurance fraud. Consumers are the real victims of this kind of criminal behavior."

Over the past three years, CID Special Agents recovered nearly $12 million used in fraudulent activities, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance

To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.

General news reporter Sharon Myers can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @LexDispatchSM.

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