Agents charge NC woman with hurricane damage fraud

LAURINBURG, NC (WBTW) – A Scotland County woman has been charged with fraud after claiming damage to her car during a hurricane.

Amber Lashae Morrison, 31, of Laurinburg, was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, which are both felonies, according to North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Tuesday.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance say Morrison told Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. her 2015 Malibu was damaged by a tree during a hurricane.

But agents say the damage had been reported to a different insurance company as the result of a 2017 hit-and-run crash. The previous company already paid the claim, agents say.

Commissioner Causey estimates fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents on every dollar paid on insurance premiums.

“Insurance fraud affects our economy. Not only does it damage insurance companies, it cheats businesses and consumers too,” Causey said.