North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of David Ward Heath, 76, of 209 S. Croom Bland Road, Kinston, NC. Heath was charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies. 

According to special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division, Heath attempted to obtain money from Nationwide Insurance Company of America. When filling the claim, Heath was heard over the phone committing the act of breaking two headlights in his vehicle. He then attempted to claim $1,461.94 in damages. 

According to the arrest warrants, the offenses occurred on Feb. 18. 

Heath was arrested on June 26, fingerprinted and released on an unsecured bond of $10,000. He is to appear in Lenoir County Court on June 27.

“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” Commissioner Causey said. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar go to covering the cost of fraud. I’m fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.  

Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.