NCJ Number
65935
Date Published
1979
Length
135 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO HELP STATE AND LOCAL PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS DETECT, INVESTIGATE, AND PROSECUTE FRAUD BY AND AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Abstract
FROM THE CONSUMER'S PERSPECTIVE, THE FOLLOWING AREAS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY'S MAJOR PROBLEM AREAS: INADEQUATE CONSUMER INFORMATION, INADEQUATE COMPETITION, PRIVACY INCURSIONS, AND UNAVAILABILITY AND DISCRIMINATION. THESE PROBLEMS ALL CONTRIBUTE IN SOME WAY TO THE PERSISTENCE OF FRAUD BY AND AGAINST THIS INDUSTRY. ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS METHODS OF INSURANCE FRAUD IS ARSON-FOR-PROFIT. THE MANUAL PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WITH AN OUTLINE FOR ARSON INVESTIGATION, WHOSE ULTIMATE GOAL IS CONVICTING OF THE ARSONIST. VARIOUS APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATION, ALONG WITH DISCUSSIONS OF THE MOTIVE FOR ARSON AND ELEMENTS OF THE CRIMES UNDER WHICH SUSPECTS MAY BE PROSECUTED, ARE DISCUSSED. A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT TRIAL IS PRESENTED, AND REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHICH WOULD ASSIST THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ARSON ARE EXPLORED. OTHER FRAUDULENT SCHEMES EXAMINED IN THE MANUAL INCLUDE FAKE BURGLARY AND THEFT SCHEMES, AUTOMOBILE FRAUDS, AND MARINE FRAUDS. THE FINAL CHAPTER EXPLORES FRAUD BY INSURANCE COMPANIES AND AGENTS. PRACTICES SUCH AS STACKING, TWISTING, CLEAN SHEETING, SCARE TACTICS, AND AGENT MISREPRESENTATION ARE EXPLAINED, AND METHODS OF CONTROLLING THESE ABUSES ARE DISCUSSED. PROBLEMS OF PROOF IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ARE ALSO EXAMINED. FOOTNOTES AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A CONTACT LIST OF AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS COMBATING ARSON, CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, A REPORTING FORM, MODEL LAWS AND RELATED STATUTES, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL. (PRG)