Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud involves intentional actions aimed at gaining unwarranted benefits through insurance claims or processes. These acts can range from claimants attempting to secure perks they are not entitled to, to insurers unjustly denying rightful claims. Common schemes include workers’ compensation fraud, asset diversion, fee churning, and premium diversion. If you’ve been accused of any of these offenses, seeking assistance from a criminal lawyer can be a critical step in protecting your rights.

Broad Categorization

Insurance fraud is generally categorized into two types:

Hard Fraud

Hard fraud occurs when individuals deliberately fabricate accidents, theft, arson, injuries, or other losses in an attempt to unlawfully claim money from an insurance provider.

Soft Fraud

Soft fraud is more subtle and involves exaggerations or small deceptions by honest individuals. While it may seem harmless to some, these actions are crimes that contribute to increasing insurance costs for everyone.

The Consequences of Insurance Fraud

Engaging in fraudulent activities to collect unwarranted insurance payouts can lead to serious consequences. Insurance providers are proactive in investigating suspicious claims and often escalate these cases to federal prosecutors when significant wrongdoing is identified. Legal actions in such cases can result in severe penalties, including federal indictments. To safeguard your rights and effectively manage the legal process, consulting with an Indiana PA DUI attorney is essential.

What is Federal Insurance Fraud?

Federal insurance fraud refers to efforts aimed at deceiving insurance companies for personal or financial gain. While there is no singular federal statute directly addressing insurance fraud, prosecutors in Indiana PA may apply charges based on the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) in addition to laws concerning wire and mail fraud. An experienced Indiana PA criminal lawyer can help navigate these complex federal charges.

Examples of Federal Insurance Fraud Include:

• False Statements: Providing intentionally misleading or false information about a claim to defraud an insurance company.
• Falsified Documents: Submitting altered or fraudulent documents to manipulate insurance rates or claims.
• Conspiracy: Assisting or conspiring with others to deceive insurance providers by using forged or misleading information.
• Identity Misuse: Filing fraudulent claims using another person’s insurance credentials.
• Fraudulent Claims: For example, falsely reporting that valuable items were lost in a home incident when such losses did not occur.

Types of Insurance Fraud Investigated by the FBI:

• Asset Diversion: Misappropriation of assets during insurance company acquisitions or mergers.
• Fee Churning: Generating excessive intermediary commissions through dubious reinsurance agreements.
• Premium Diversion: Misappropriation or embezzlement of insurance premiums.
• Disaster-Related Fraud: Filing inflated or fabricated claims following disasters like hurricanes or floods.

Fraud cases often lead to serious penalties. Besides federal charges, individuals can also face civil lawsuits initiated by defrauded insurance companies. Additionally, insurance fraud is typically classified as a third-degree felony, meaning guilty parties may face significant fines and lengthy prison terms.

How an Criminal Lawyer Can Help

Facing charges of insurance fraud can be overwhelming. Laws governing these cases are strict, and federal prosecutors often take an aggressive stance. However, with the support of an experienced Indiana PA criminal lawyer, you have the opportunity to effectively defend your case.

At Logue Law Group, our legal team is ready to stand by your side, ensuring your rights are protected and that you understand all your options. Our goal is to help you achieve a favorable outcome while providing a defense tailored specifically to your situation.

Comprehensive Assistance

Whether you’re charged with hard fraud or soft fraud, we’re here to guide you from start to finish. Our Indiana PA DUI attorneys are equipped to handle insurance fraud cases with precision. We can assist you with the following:

• Understanding your charges and exploring potential defenses.
• Pursuing recovery of losses under relevant consumer protection laws.
• Guiding you through a legal process that includes rigorous investigations.

Take the First Step

Insurance fraud charges are serious, but you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you or a loved one is navigating these legal challenges, the Indiana PA criminal lawyers at Logue Law Group are here to provide the expert guidance you need.

Take advantage of our complimentary initial consultation to discuss your case. Reach out to us online or call 844.PITT.DUI today to explore how we can help.