North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Sharon Frye Hart, 62, of 79 Riverdell Road, Hickory. Hart was charged with insurance fraud, a felony.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Hart of falsely telling Erie Insurance that her 2020 Ford Mustang was stolen from Hibriten Mountain Road in an attempt to obtain payment on an automobile insurance claim.
According to the arrest warrant, Hart had given someone else permission to use her car.
The offense occurred between Feb. 28 and March 1.
Special agents arrested Hart on May 10. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.
“Insurance fraud is a crime affecting everyone,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20% of insurance premium costs go to pay for insurance fraud.”
Since 2017, Commissioner Causey has more than doubled the number of special agents investigating fraud and white-collar crimes. As a result, special agents from 2017 through 2020 have made 1,612 arrests.
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.
