Catawba County man charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced today the arrest of Derek Paul Woods, 31, of 4835 Lakota Way Road, Maiden, NC. Woods is charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

According to special agents with the NC Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division, Woods requested and received two payments in the total amount $2,696.83 for one insurance claim. Agents allege Woods cashed one check in Catawba County, contacted the insurance company, Peak Property and Casualty Corporation/Sentry Insurance and told them he never received the check. He then cashed the second check in Rowan County once he received it.

The incidents occurred on June 19 and July 1, 2024, according to arrest warrants.

Woods was arrested on Sept. 12 by Catawba County Sheriff's deputies and released on a $15,000 secured bond. He appeared in Rowan County District Court on Sept. 19.

"Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet," Commissioner Causey said. "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."

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.

Related Topics:

• NCDOI

  NC Department of Insurance Press Release

• Fraud Control/Investigations

  Investigations Press Release