Wayne Anthony Artis, 45, of Eden, North Carolina, was arrested on November 20, 2024, on charges of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. Artis is accused of submitting a false claim to Progressive Southeastern Insurance Group, reporting that the windows of his vehicle were damaged by vandalism during coverage, when in fact the damage occurred before the coverage was in place.
The incident took place on January 2, 2024, and the fraudulent repair claim amounted to $1,406.07. Artis was arrested by special agents from the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division and released on a $1,500 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on December 12.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey emphasized the financial impact of insurance fraud, stating, “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud. I’m fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.”
Anyone who suspects insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes is encouraged to report it to the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840, or toll-free at 888-680-7684.