How to Report Insurance Fraud
What is Insurance Fraud?
Insurance fraud is a crime. And far from being a victimless crime, insurance fraud victimizes every resident of New York State, costing consumers millions of dollars in the form of increased premiums and higher prices for goods and services. The exact cost of insurance fraud is difficult to estimate because much of it goes unreported.
Insurance Fraud takes many forms.
- A driver and a body shop worker agree to inflate the auto damage claim and share the "profit."
- A homeowner falsely claims that his home was burglarized and valuable items stolen.
- A doctor bills an insurer for services that were not provided.
- A driver stages a fake accident, and unscrupulous doctors and lawyers help "handle" associated medical claims and lawsuits.
- A worker collects workers’ compensation benefits while employed.
Fraud vs. Consumer Complaints
Please do not confuse the crime of insurance fraud with a dispute that you may have with an insurance company, for example, delays in customer payment, monetary disputes, policy cancellations and nonrenewals. If you have a question, want to file a complaint against a financial institution or have an an inquiry not involving fraud please visit our Consumer Section.
How To Report Suspected Insurance Fraud
If you suspect that insurance fraud has been committed, you should report it to the DFS. A frauds investigator will contact you for details and the matter will be kept confidential. You can report fraud:
- By toll-free Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-888-372-8369.
- By mail using our Report Fraud Form (PDF File) to:
- By fax using our Report Fraud Form (PDF File): (212) 480-7148
New York State Department of Financial Services
Insurance Frauds Bureau
Suite 542
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
Updated 02/15/2013
