July 12, 2018—North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Gary Miller, 44, of Monroe, N.C., on July 3, reported the N.C. Department of Insurance News.

Miller was charged with felony insurance fraud. 

Special agents with the North Carolina Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accused Miller of presenting a fraudulent invoice to Allstate Insurance Co. for auto body repair work that was never performed. The action was aimed at increasing the value of a vehicle that Miller had reported as stolen, according to the arrest warrant.

The actions occurred between Oct. 17-24, 2017, according to the warrant. Miller was arrested on May 30.

Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion a year. According to Commissioner Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums—and it’s getting worse.

The commissioner also announced that Natiela Ayesha Stuckes, 34, has been charged with felony insurance fraud. 

According to a criminal summons, Stuckes turned in an altered medical bill from Carolinas Healthcare System in an attempt to defraud Allstate Insurance Co. on an automobile policy claim. The offense occurred on May 14, according to the summons.