Timothy Scott Gilbert, 60, a collision repair shop owner from Statesville, North Carolina, has been charged with felony fraud after allegedly accepting an insurance payment for vehicle repairs that he did not perform. The arrest, which took place on January 27, 2025, followed an investigation by the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Gilbert reportedly received a $7,514.23 insurance check from a customer for repairs to their vehicle but failed to complete the work as agreed. Instead, records show he only returned $266.48 of the funds to the customer. The incident occurred on December 11, 2023, leading to Gilbert being charged with obtaining property by false pretense, a felony under North Carolina law.
After his arrest, Gilbert was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond and appeared in Iredell County District Court on January 28, 2025.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey expressed concern over the impact of insurance fraud on consumers, noting that fraud increases insurance costs for everyone. He emphasized the state’s commitment to fighting insurance-related crimes, urging residents to report any suspected fraud to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
For anonymous tips, residents can contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll-free at 888-680-7684. More information is available on the department’s website at www.ncdoi.gov.
