North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of William Sanders, 42, of 1906 Longshadow St., Rural Hall. Sanders was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies. He was also charged with misdemeanor making a false report to a police station.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Sanders of making a false statement to the Winston-Salem Police Department claiming that his 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 pickup truck had been stolen from a parking lot in Winston-Salem, when in fact, the truck was knowingly towed from a gas station parking lot on Jan. 20, 2023, in Eastaboga, Alabama.
According to the arrest warrant, Sanders provided a fraudulent claim to GEICO Indemnity Corp. and subsequently received a $24,134.82 insurance payout under false pretense.
The offenses occurred between Jan. 20, 2023, and Jan. 23, 2023.
Sanders was arrested in Ohio and extradited to North Carolina earlier this month. He was given a $10,000 secured bond.
Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.
“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Commissioner Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.