Publications

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The Coalition supports New York Governor Hochul’s anti-fraud budget and state police training initiative. The Coalition continues to support Governor Hochul’s antifraud provisions as budget negotiations continue, submitting letters of support this week urging full funding for workers compensation fraud units, expanded auto insurance investigations, and stronger prosecution tools targeting repeat and organized fraud. Letters were sent to key Senate and Assembly leaders and insurance committees. This aligns with the April 8th announcement of specialized training for 250 New York law enforcement personnel to better detect, investigate, and prosecute insurance fraud. Coalition Executive Director Michelle Rafeld was quoted, “… enhanced training and stronger coordination between the New York State Police and the Department of Financial Services are essential to disrupting increasingly sophisticated insurance fraud schemes.” Read more…

Hawaii warns its citizens of contractor fraud risks after disaster recovery begins. Following severe statewide flooding, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Governor Josh Green are urging residents to guard against contractor fraud as rebuilding accelerates. Officials report ongoing complaints involving unlicensed contractors, including cases where money is taken with little or no work completed. Hawaii homeowners are advised to verify licenses, avoid large upfront payments, and distinguish between adjusters and contractors to prevent fraud schemes that can also jeopardize insurance claims. Read more…

The Georgia Legislature sends Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act to the governor with strengthened antifraud tools. The Georgia legislature passed House Bill 1344 which has been sent to the governor for signature. The Bill combines insurance affordability measures with robust fraud enforcement. If signed by the governor, these antifraud provisions would empower insurers to share suspected fraud information with the Commissioner before completing full investigations, fund prosecuting attorneys to pursue insurance fraud, and substantially increase monetary penalties for fraudulent insurance acts. The Bill would also criminalize solicitation or sale of accident information, while targeting organized and repeat fraud schemes. For Coalition members, these measures reinforce the link between affordability and effective fraud prevention. Read more…

New York reform battle intensifies as Uber and trial lawyers clash over insurance costs

A high-stakes fight is unfolding in New York as Uber and trial lawyers take opposing sides on proposed reforms aimed at lowering auto insurance premiums. The outcome could carry significant implications for fraud trends, claims costs, and the broader insurance landscape… Read more…

Ohio launches fraud prevention month initiative, urging consumers to report insurance scams

Ohio officials are sounding the alarm on insurance fraud as Governor Mike DeWine designates April as Fraud Prevention Month. Citing the Coalition’s  $308.6 billion annual economic impact, the initiative underscores the real cost to consumers and… Read more…

DOJ targets $60 million hospice fraud scheme in California crackdown

Federal prosecutors have charged 15 individuals in a sweeping Medicare hospice fraud case involving alleged kickbacks and the enrollment of ineligible patients. The takedown underscores the evolving tactics driving large-scale healthcare fraud schemes… Read more…

CONTRACTOR FRAUD
April 4 – Iowa – Unlicensed contractor charged after alleged scheme to exploit insurance claims
Joseph Starr, 39, is facing felony charges after allegedly inserting himself into insurance claims without a license and billing for work left incomplete. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau filed the charges following an investigation… Read more…

PROPERTY & CASUALTY
April 5 – Colorado – Dance studio owner indicted on 21 felony counts in sweeping fraud case
A grand jury has indicted Cindy Burdine, the former owner of Frequency Dance, on 21 felony charges including fraud, theft, and forgery. The charges are tied in part to a reported 2023 break in at the studio that led to an insurance claim… Read more…

PROPERTY & CASUALTY

April 6 – Kansas – Farmer pleads guilty in federal crop insurance fraud case

David L. Mongeau, pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal crop insurance system after falsely reporting crop losses while records showed the grain had already been sold. Federal prosecutors say the 54-year-old from Holcomb claimed hail and high winds destroyed a… Read more…

HEALTHCARE
April 7 – California – Hospice fraud scheme exploited vulnerable patient to improperly bill Medicare, DOJ says
Federal prosecutors allege healthcare workers falsely claimed a dementia patient was terminally ill to enroll him in hospice and collect Medicare payments… Read more…

AGENT MISCONDUCT
April 7 – Kentucky – Agent charged after clients discover possible gaps in coverage despite paid premiums; fraud probe widens
David Ramey, owner of David Ramey Insurance has been arrested and charged in a fraud and theft case involving more than $10,000, with investigators warning the situation could expand as additional victims come forward. Authorities say the case centers on… Read more…

Coalition Recognizes Social Media Competition Winners from Wayne State University for Standout Insurance Fraud Content

The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud’s Executive Director, Michelle Rafeld, recently recognized and awarded Social Media Marketing students from Wayne State University for their outstanding work as part of the Coalition’s latest Social Media Competition. The initiative provided students with hands-on, real-world experience while supporting the Coalition’s efforts to raise awareness about insurance fraud.

Over the course of just six weeks, student teams developed and shared 59 social media posts, generating more than 28,000 views and over 2,400 interactions, while helping the Coalition gain 63 new followers. Since launching the competition last September, student-driven content has generated more than 40,000 total views of the Coalition’s Instagram content to date. In addition to these strong results, students noted that the experience deepened their understanding of insurance fraud and its personal impact, and they contributed valuable ideas to enhance the Coalition’s Instagram strategy moving forward.

The Coalition would like to thank and recognize CarpeData for sponsoring the competition, Wayne State University Professor Nick Mattar for his continued partnership, and the students for their exceptional work and contributions. To view this semester’s student-created content, visit the Coalition’s Instagram page, @stopinsurancefraud.

The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud announces the upcoming retirements of Simon Blank, Director of the Division of Investigative & Forensic Services at the Florida Department of Financial Services, and Paul Hill, Assistant Director and Chief Law Enforcement Officer at the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

Luis Negrete will succeed Simon Blank, and Damas Salas will succeed Paul Hill.

The Coalition extends its sincere thanks to Simon and Paul for their dedicated service and the valued expertise they brought to the fight against insurance fraud. We look forward to working with Luis Negrete and Damas Salas in continuing our important work.

1,000 Seats Available; Secure a Spot Before April 20

We’re giving our members exclusive early access to register for this virtual event before it opens to the public. Secure your own spot, and invite your colleagues to register to experience this powerful story.

• April 13 – April 15 – NAMIC Claims Conference (NAMIC)

• April 13 – April 15 – ACCI 2026 Annual Conference (ACCI)

• April 15 – The Psychology Behind Fraud (ETHOS)

• April 16 – April 17 – PA Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority 2026 Conference (IFPA)

• April 22 – April 24 – 2026 Annual Anti-Fraud Conference (AFA)

• May 4 – May 6 – Evadata ACT Anti-Fraud Conference (Evadata)

• May 5 – May 6 – Vehicle Fraud & Crime Conference (NICB)

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