North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Deshon Tarez Oakes, 26, of 449 W. 24th St., Winston-Salem. Oakes was charged with felony insurance fraud and felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Oakes of falsely telling Progressive Insurance Co., in an attempt to collect on an auto policy claim, that damage to his vehicle occurred on Dec. 9, 2017, when it actually occurred on Sept. 2, 2017. Oakes did not have insurance coverage on his vehicle at the time of the actual crash, according to the arrest warrant.
The offenses occurred between Dec. 9, 2017, and Aug 13, 2018. Officers from the N.C. Division of Community Corrections arrested Oakes on Aug. 21 in Forsyth County. He was placed under a $1,250 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 Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.