Leigh Ann “Annie” Saffer was arrested in Sebastian County on May 1, following her conviction for unauthorized legal practice alongside her husband in March. She is now accused of violating the Fraudulent Insurance Act by submitting false statements to Farmers Union Insurance and impersonating an employee of the insurance company.
According to an arrest affidavit, Saffer contacted Farmers Union on February 5 to file a claim on behalf of a driver involved in a car accident in Van Buren on January 29. She claimed the passenger was injured, but when Farmers Union reached out to the passenger, they denied any injuries, as did her child who was also in the vehicle.
Farmers Union further investigated by contacting the insured driver, who reported that Saffer had identified herself as a Farmers Union employee during her call. The affidavit states that Saffer demanded money from the driver, alleging that their insurance policy had lapsed.
After a heated exchange, Saffer allegedly threatened to report the driver for “endangering the welfare of a minor” due to the accident. The driver subsequently filed a complaint with Farmers Union and the Arkansas Insurance Department Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on February 28, highlighting Saffer’s fraudulent behavior.
Saffer was arrested with a bond set at $10,000, and a no-contact order has been issued against her. In March, she and her husband were found guilty of soliciting car accident victims for chiropractors under false pretenses. Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen noted that such deceptive practices not only exploit vulnerable individuals but also lead to increased insurance rates statewide. “It’s time we put a stop to these deceptive practices immediately,” he stated.
