North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Cameron Alexander Hammond, 34, of Vanceboro. Hammond was charged with one count of insurance fraud, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, and one count of damage to residential property, all felonies.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division allege that, while employed by Carolina Trophy Roofs, Hammond intentionally damaged roofing shingles at a residence in Washington, then made false statements to North Carolina Farm Bureau and the North Carolina Joint Underwriters Association (NCJUA), claiming the roof sustained weather-related damage. Investigators say Hammond lied to obtain insurance proceeds and commission for a roof replacement.
The offense occurred on Aug. 18.
Hammond was released under a $5000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Beaufort County district court on Dec. 17.
Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.
“Property and casualty insurance fraud costs insurance customers an estimated $120 billion a year in increased premiums,” said Commissioner Causey. “The Department of Insurance has beefed up its fraud-fighting staff in an effort to make more arrests to keep fraud from driving up insurance costs.”
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.