NICB Fraud Hotline Sets Record in 2009

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Jan 28, 2010, 09:00 ET

Concerned Consumers Exceed 2008 Calls By 122 Percent

DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported receiving 5,562 tips from the public in 2009 -- more than doubling the 2,500 received in the previous year. Americans can report suspected insurance crimes by text, toll-free telephone and online through the NICB Web site. Last year NICB expanded its traditional hotline (1.800.TEL.NICB) by adding a text messaging capability -- TIP411 -- for cell phone users.

In 2009 tipsters provided valuable information to NICB investigators which helped uncover fraudulent insurance schemes involving medical fraud, chiropractors, auto body/glass repair shops, roofers and others. Schemes like these occur daily and cause millions of dollars in losses to insurance companies -- losses that are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher premiums.

"Some of these tips have led to investigations that involve criminal rings that are conducting operations involving millions of dollars in false insurance claims and payments," said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and CEO. "The increasing number of tips shows that the American public has lost its patience and is ready and eager to fight back. NICB and its member companies and law enforcement partners are actively pursuing these valuable leads and following them through with arrests and prosecutions."

If you suspect fraud, call our hotline, report it online or text the keyword "FRAUD" to TIP411 (847411). Tips can be anonymous.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,000 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote nearly $343 billion in insurance premiums in 2008, or more than 82 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau