Fake Deer-Collision Claim: A South Carolina woman faces fraud charges after allegedly filing a false insurance claim, falsely stating that her car was damaged in a deer collision. Investigators uncovered inconsistencies in her claim, leading to her arrest.
Insurance Fraud Uncovered
Queen Viola Arthur, 33, of Hartsville, reported to Progressive Insurance that she hit a deer, causing damage to her vehicle. However, Progressive denied her claim after metadata from the digital photographs she submitted revealed that the images were taken before the alleged accident and even before her policy began.
According to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigators, who acted on behalf of the state Department of Insurance, the fraud attempt occurred in October 2023. Authorities arrested Arthur earlier this month, though she was later released on bond. Fake Deer-Collision Claim
Attempted Fraud and Legal Consequences
The arrest warrant stated that Arthur falsely claimed her vehicle had no prior unrepaired damage. By submitting the fraudulent claim for $2,014, she attempted to secure an undeserved financial payout. The warrant also noted that Arthur admitted to at least some of the allegations.
A Trend in Fake Animal Collision Claims?
Arthur’s case follows a similar incident in California. Just two months earlier, four Los Angeles residents faced fraud charges after claiming a bear caused more than $141,000 in vehicle damage. Investigators later determined the “bear” was actually a person in a costume.
Stay Informed on Insurance Fraud Cases
For more insights on insurance fraud and legal trends, visit JacobiJournal.com.
For the full report, refer to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.