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by Ralph J. Whitehead, Special Investigation Unit Coordinator — Utica National Insurance Group
We’ll not only see the “usual” assortment of fraud cases in the
coming year – property losses, mysterious disappearances of jewelry,
falls, exaggerated injuries and more – but with the turmoil in the
housing market, it’s projected that home losses could rise by as much
as 25 percent, according to recent calculations, as more homeowners are
“underwater” on their home values and mortgages. More and more people
will walk away from their houses, while many will find some way to
start fires or collect some equity in some other way.
2009 By the Numbers.
Where the deer and the antelope play – A case from
the SIU files.
A man alleged that he fell and, as a result, could not work, walk to
the mailbox, drive for more than short durations, etc. Instead, our
investigation found him driving to four Midwestern states to hunt elk,
deer and antelope. Plus, he drove some 2,000-3,000 miles each time –
and has licenses to hunt in 2010, too! After hearing this testimony,
his doctors changed their opinions on his disability and the Workers
Compensation judge found a violation of 114a, Workers Compensation
fraud.