Tough times can drive people to commit crimes we all pay for
SEATTLE -- Tough times can drive people to do desperate things.
Faced with car payments they can no longer afford, more and more people are choosing to commit fraud to get rid of their cars.
But those are crimes we all pay for.
Prosecutors say this type of crime is taking place across the country. For xxample, surveillance camera caught a man setting a car on fire. Prosecutors say the supposed victims were also the perpetrators
"Ordinary people are hiring others to torch their vehicles," said Prosecutor Paula Dow.
They are ordinary people -- elementary school principal, a chiropractor and a businessman. The latter two pleaded guilty to attempted insurance fraud.
Investigators say these people are driven by economic desperation to commit what's called "owner give-ups." That's when an owner reports their vehicle stolen, then stages the theft. They torch the car or drive it into a lake collect the insurance money.
"I made a lot of mistakes, result of it -- it's affected me financially," said John McCreey, the chiropractor who pleaded guilty to committing fraud.
Det. Tom Reilly of the Dallas Sheriff's Department says the crooks agreed to be videotaped as a part of their plea agreement. Reilly uses the tapes for a public awareness campaign.
"What better way (than) to hear the words from people that committed fraud?" he said.
We all pay for insurance fraud. In fact, it's estimated that nearly 15 percent of your auto policy premium goes to cover fraud.
Faking a car theft and having the vehicle torched is rally two crimes -- insurance fraud and arson. So the consequences are serious prison time.
The Northwest Insurance Council offers cash rewards of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who commits insurance fraud. You can remain anonymous and still be eligible for the reward.
For more information:
Report arson or fraud
Ripped off: Insurance fraud costs NW households $200-$300 a year
Faced with car payments they can no longer afford, more and more people are choosing to commit fraud to get rid of their cars.
But those are crimes we all pay for.
Prosecutors say this type of crime is taking place across the country. For xxample, surveillance camera caught a man setting a car on fire. Prosecutors say the supposed victims were also the perpetrators
"Ordinary people are hiring others to torch their vehicles," said Prosecutor Paula Dow.
They are ordinary people -- elementary school principal, a chiropractor and a businessman. The latter two pleaded guilty to attempted insurance fraud.
Investigators say these people are driven by economic desperation to commit what's called "owner give-ups." That's when an owner reports their vehicle stolen, then stages the theft. They torch the car or drive it into a lake collect the insurance money.
"I made a lot of mistakes, result of it -- it's affected me financially," said John McCreey, the chiropractor who pleaded guilty to committing fraud.
Det. Tom Reilly of the Dallas Sheriff's Department says the crooks agreed to be videotaped as a part of their plea agreement. Reilly uses the tapes for a public awareness campaign.
"What better way (than) to hear the words from people that committed fraud?" he said.
We all pay for insurance fraud. In fact, it's estimated that nearly 15 percent of your auto policy premium goes to cover fraud.
Faking a car theft and having the vehicle torched is rally two crimes -- insurance fraud and arson. So the consequences are serious prison time.
The Northwest Insurance Council offers cash rewards of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who commits insurance fraud. You can remain anonymous and still be eligible for the reward.
For more information:
Report arson or fraud
Ripped off: Insurance fraud costs NW households $200-$300 a year