North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Pepperish Shawntel Tedder, 35, of 1487 Haire Road, Shannon, was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Tedder of pawning the items that she later reported lost or stolen to Jewelers Mutual to receive insurance proceeds.
The offense occurred on Sept. 23, 2020.
Tedder was served with a criminal summons on Feb. 15.
“Insurance fraud hurts consumers; it costs North Carolina consumers nearly 20 cents on every dollar they pay in insurance premiums,” Commissioner Causey said. “That’s why I’ve more than doubled the number of special agents to crack down on fraud and other types of white-collar crime.”
Over the past three years, CID Special Agents recovered nearly $12 million used in fraudulent activities. That money has been returned to consumers and insurance companies. The restitution also helps preserve insurance rates.
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.