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Home : Fraud : How you can fight fraud
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How you can fight fraud
North Dakota's consumers are not helpless in the fight against insurance fraud. Here are 11 ways that you can protect yourself, help keep insurance premiums down and bring fraud criminals to justice:
- Report insurance fraud. The number one way to stop fraud is to tell authorities about it. If you suspect you have come into contact with fraud, call the North Dakota Insurance Department at 1.800.247.0560. When you call, be sure to provide as many details as possible about the incident: names of individuals involved, dollar amounts, dates, and type of fraud.
- Don't be tempted to commit insurance fraud. Some people treat an accident or burglary as an opportunity to benefit financially. Don't allow yourself to fall into this trap - you could be arrested, fined, or incarcerated.
- Drive carefully. Allow for plenty of space between your car and other vehicles on the road. Don't become a victim of an accident scheme.
- Only buy insurance from licensed agents. If you are unsure about whether someone is licensed to sell insurance in the state, contact the North Dakota Department of Insurance.
- For all health insurance claims, review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). The EOB provides information about health services you obtain. Make sure the billing, services rendered, dates and other information on the EOB are accurate. If something doesn't seem right to you, or if you have any questions, call your insurer.
- Always read your policy, and never pay premiums in cash. Read your policies to ensure coverage is what you expected. And always use a check or money order to pay your insurance premiums.
- After an auto accident, call the police. Take down the names of any drivers involved, and their license numbers. Note the number of passengers in the other car or cars, and get their names.
- Some insurance companies advise keeping a disposable camera in your glovebox. If you are in a car accident, use the disposable camera or your camera phone to take photographs of the accident scene and any damage that occurs. Also, take photos of the individuals involved.
- Keep your insurance information private. Be careful about giving out insurance information. Beware of offers for free health care services such as tests or screenings that ask for your insurance policy number. Guard the number as closely as you would your credit card number.
- Tell the truth on insurance forms. Lying about mileage driven on an auto policy, or about a medical condition on a life insurance policy, is policy misrepresentation. It's also insurance fraud.
- Educate yourself. Learn more about insurance fraud and keep your knowledge up to date on common fraud schemes.
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