North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Brenda Lee Mateo, 42, of 417 E. Central Ave. Trailer 6, Asheboro. Mateo was charged with felony insurance fraud.
Special Agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Mateo of making a false statement to Sentry Insurance Co. while making a claim on an auto insurance policy.
According to the arrest warrant, Mateo told the insurance company that she was the driver of a vehicle involved in wreck on Jan. 17 in Forsyth County when, in fact, she was not driving the vehicle at the time. Her boyfriend, Jimmy Mendes, whose license was revoked, was the driver at the time, the warrant says.
Asheboro police arrested Mateo on May 14. She was given a $1,000 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.