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May 4, 2004
Governor Warner Proclaims May 9–15 as “Insurance Fraud Awareness Week” in Virginia Recognizing the impact the crime of insurance fraud has on the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the efforts of the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Division (IFD) to "stamp out fraud," Governor Mark R. Warner has proclaimed May 9-15 as "Insurance Fraud Awareness Week" in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The governor’s proclamation will be presented on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, 8:00 a.m., during a ceremony commemorating ?Insurance Fraud Awareness Week,? at the Holiday Inn Select Koger Center South, 1021 Koger Center Boulevard, Richmond. This observation will be held in conjunction with the Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (VAIASIU) annual seminar. Ranked second behind tax evasion as the most common and costly white-collar crime in the US, insurance fraud costs the economy almost $85 billion a year according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. It’s estimated Virginia families pay between $200 and $1,000 per year in additional premiums due to all types of fraudulent insurance claims. During five years of operation, more than 4,400 insurance fraud notifications were reported to the IFD, resulting in more than 475 arrests and $10 million in court-ordered restitution. The dollar amount of reported, suspected false insurance claims surpassed the $32 million mark. "The success of the Insurance Fraud Division," said Capt. Frank A. Williams Jr., assistant director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, "would not have been possible without the support of the insurance industry, the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies, and the general public’s willingness to become involved." Capt. Williams also noted the creation of a reward program that awards up to $25,000 for tips leading to the arrest of individuals for the crime of insurance fraud. "Insurance Fraud Awareness Week" is an annual event designed to raise community awareness of insurance fraud, create more widespread public knowledge of the Insurance Fraud Division and its purpose, and educate Virginia citizens in the prevention and reporting of insurance fraud. The Virginia State Police is committed to "Stamp Out" insurance fraud occurring in the Commonwealth. If citizens have knowledge of a fraudulent insurance scheme or suspect they may have been the victim of insurance fraud, report the activity to Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Division on the insurance fraud hotline at 1-877-62FRAUD (1-877-623-7283) or visit www.stampoutfraud.com. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for tips leading to an arrest for the crime of insurance fraud.
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