North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Bobby Lee Steele Jr., 49, of 814 Harry St., China Grove. Steele was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Steele of falsifying ambulance transportation bills to obtain an insurance benefit from Aflac Insurance.
According to the arrest warrant, Steele attempted to obtain $150 in insurance benefits that he was not entitled to receive. The offense occurred on Feb. 1, 2017.
China Grove police arrested Steele on May 19. He was placed under $500 secured bond.
Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion dollars a year. According to Commissioner Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums -- and it’s getting worse.
“I am determined to stem the tide of insurance fraud in this state in order to save residents money,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why I am dedicated to the mission of our NCDOI law enforcement officers who investigate and prosecute claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud.”
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigation Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.