BALTIMORE, MD  – The Maryland Insurance Administration continues to partner with federal, state and local government agencies, insurance carriers and producers to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses for committing insurance fraud. For the calendar year 2018, Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. issued 64 civil orders and 12 criminal orders totaling $320,671 in fines, penalties and restitution. Insurance fraud is one of the most costly crimes in the country, costing consumers directly in the form of higher premiums.

“Our Insurance Fraud Division continues to investigate all tips regarding suspected civil and criminal insurance fraud,” said Commissioner Redmer. “We want Marylanders to know they can and should call us if they suspect insurance fraud. All tips are confidential and we follow up on each lead. The bad actors need to be held accountable for their actions.”

Sixty-four individuals were ordered to pay $215,090 in administrative penalties and restitution for committing civil insurance fraud in Maryland. Additionally, the investigative work of the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration led to 12 people being criminally prosecuted for committing insurance fraud, resulting in $105,581 in fines, penalties and restitution.

To learn more about insurance fraud across the United States, visit the National Insurance Crime Bureau web site. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is the organization dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and crime. The NICB partners with insurance companies, law enforcement agencies and regulators to identify, detect and prosecute insurance criminals. For more information about the Insurance Administration, visit www.insurance.maryland.gov.