The conviction and jail term handed out to an
Aviva Canada policy holder is welcome news for an industry looking to get tough on fraud.
Superior Court Justice Christopher Corkery convicted former
Aviva Canada policyholder Robert Hicks of Public Mischief (false reporting of a crime to police) and Fraud Over $5,000 (false insurance claim). Hicks was sentenced to four months in custody, followed by 18 months’ probation with the statutory condition to keep the peace.
“The more we see fraudsters appropriately punished, the more we will see a decline in this type of activity which costs all insurance customers,” said Gordon Rasbach, vice president of anti-fraud management for Aviva Canada. “Jail terms, restitution payments and other hefty penalties are critical to deterring future staged thefts and accidents.”
Hicks has been ordered to pay restitution to Aviva Canada in the amount of $9,232.
In December 2011, Hicks received a claims settlement from Aviva Canada in the amount of $9,500 for the theft of his 1997 Chevrolet pick-up truck. A year and a half later, Aviva Canada’s Fraud Information Centre received an anonymous tip that Hicks’ vehicle had not been stolen, and was in a storage unit in Newcastle, Ont.
Durham Regional Police were immediately contacted and, upon locating the reported stolen vehicle, apprehended and charged Hicks that same day. (continued.)
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In another case on November 14, Aviva Canada was awarded $12,990 in restitution in connection with a staged automobile accident allegedly perpetrated by Rakio Shire and three others in January 2012.
Shire pleaded guilty to the charges of Uttering Forged Documents and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence.
In that case – involving Toronto Police Service – Justice Edward Kelly provided Shire with a conditional discharge, placing her on probation for three years, and ordered her to pay restitution to Aviva Canada in the amount of $12,900.
“We commend the efforts of Durham Regional Police and Toronto Police Service in laying charges in these matters and those of the Crown Attorney’s office in prosecuting the cases,” said Rasbach. “Their continued support is vital to our efforts to protect the policy premiums of our customers in Ontario.”
Aviva Canada has stepped up its tough approach to tackling fraud with more dedicated resources and an investment in technology that aims to identify fraud and even anticipate the potential for fraud before it happens. With an industry-leading anti-fraud team in place, said Rasbach, plus solid public sector and industry collaboration, Aviva Canada is well positioned to combat fraud better than ever before.
The impact of Insurance fraud in Canada is estimated at over $1.6 billion dollars annually.
