- Posted August 13, 2014 by
PA Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority: What is Insurance Fraud?
When someone provides false information to an insurance company in order to gain something of value that he or she would not have received if the truth had been told‚ they’ve committed insurance fraud.
In Pennsylvania‚ this type of dishonest act is classified among the most serious of crimes – it’s considered a felony. Those convicted of the crime face prison time‚ fines‚ legal fees and more – not to mention a wide range of negative personal and professional consequences.
Despite the severity of this crime‚ a statewide research study conducted in Pennsylvania in December 2008 found that most Pennsylvanians didn’t fully understand the acts that constitute insurance fraud. Since the launch of a new campaign to educate Pennsylvanians about the risks and penalties of insurance fraud, a follow-up study conducted in December 2010 has shown the number of Pennsylvanians who take the crime seriously has increased by 33%. A 2013 study shows that this awareness level has increased by 58 percent since the initial baseline study.
Don’t let a lie wreck your life or that of someone you know. Learn more about insurance fraud. Know the risks. Know the penalties.