One Way Off Welfare

True Crime of Insurance Fraud Video Number 39

Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE presents videos so you can learn how insurance fraud is
perpetrated and what is necessary to deter or defeat insurance fraud. This Video Blog of True Crime Stories of Insurance Fraud with the names and places changed to protect the guilty are all based upon investigations conducted by me and fictionalized to create a learning environment for claims personnel, SIU investigators, insurers, police, and lawyers better understand insurance fraud and weapons that can be used to deter or defeat a fraudulent insurance claim.

On the second birthday of their daughter, Melissa’s husband left to get two liter bottles of cola. He never came home. A month later she received a postcard from Nebraska: “I’m sowing my wild oats. Can’t be married anymore. John.”

When they had two salaries coming in, Melissa could add a little to their income. Even with child care costs, working as a receptionist at a real estate office in Visalia, there was extra money left over. With John, and his income, gone, there wasn’t enough money left from her paycheck even to pay the rent on their small two-bedroom apartment.

Melissa had no choice, she quit her job, applied for and received Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The Welfare paid her rent, gave her health care, food stamps and enough money for an occasional luxury like a new dress every two months from the vintage store.

Melissa was not a typical welfare mother. She had no intention of ever becoming involved with a man again. She would never have another child.

Faith walked across the aisle, presented her information to her SIU investigator. He traveled to Visalia and obtained the original invoices and a recorded statement from Melissa’s ex-employer. He presented the results of Faith’s investigation, a copy of the true invoice, a photograph of the allegedly stolen computer and a transcript of the recorded statement of the employer to the Fraud Division of the State of California, Department of Insurance.

Two weeks later, four officers of the Division drove from their office in the City of Commerce to Visalia with an arrest warrant. Much to their surprise they found the television and VCR back in Melissa’s house.

She was arrested for insurance fraud; her child was placed in the care of her maternal grandmother. Melissa’s attempt to get off Welfare was a total success – she would spend the next year in state prison.

(c) 2022 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.

Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, now limits his practice to service as an insurance consultant specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and policyholders. He also serves as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance related disputes. He practiced law in California for more than 44 years as an insurance coverage and claims handling lawyer and more than 54 years in the insurance business. He is available at http://www.zalma.com and zalma@zalma.com.

Over the last 54 years Barry Zalma has dedicated his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He has created a library of books and other materials to make it possible for insurers and their claims staff to become insurance claims professionals.

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