WILMINGTON WOMAN CHARGED WITH INSURANCE FRAUD, FALSE PRETENSE

The following information was released by the North Carolina Department of Insurance:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Za'kira Zaleaya Price, 23, of 9059 Senca Drive, Wilmington. Price was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Price of obtaining $2,341 from Geico Insurance by submitting false medical bills to the insurance company in an automobile collision insurance claim.

The offense occurred on June 13.

Price was arrested on Nov. 5 and released on $10,000 unsecured bond. She had her first appearance in New Hanover County District Court on Nov. 6.

Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.

"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Commissioner Causey said. "It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums."