NCJ Number
121466
Journal
Security Management Volume: 33 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1989) Pages: 52-57
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Travelers Insurance Companies have 22 special investigation units (SIU's) in major metropolitan areas, assigned to investigate suspected fraudulent claims.
Abstract
SIU's are typically staffed by retired law enforcement officials with extensive backgrounds in investigations. After claim representatives have identified "red flags" (signals indicating a claim may be fraudulent), the case is referred to the SIU for investigation. Each member of the SIU is assigned a portion of the claim to investigate. If the investigation reveals potential fraud, company attorneys are brought into the case to ensure legal procedures are followed in case management. Once an investigation has been completed, Travelers is required by law to turn over suspicious claims to the State division of insurance fraud, which investigates and assesses cases. This division determines whether cases are prosecuted. SIU's have more resources to use in such investigations than do public police; and they can ask more precise questions of suspects, since they are not governed by the same procedural limitations restraining public police.