Phoenix Insurance Fraud Defense Lawyer

Being charged with insurance fraud is a serious allegation that can pose life-altering penalties. At Suzuki Law Offices, our Phoenix criminal attorneys have experience handling complex fraud cases in Arizona, including federal insurance fraud. We guide our clients through each phase of the process and defend their futures from the serious penalties at stake.

With so much on the line, you need a tough and talented trial lawyer whose reputation for results is widely known throughout the legal community. At Suzuki Law Offices, we have a reputation for excellence in complex matters of white collar crime. Over the years, we have built a history of favorable outcomes in some of the most challenging criminal cases.

Types of Insurance Fraud Cases We Handle

Our legal team has the experience and resources to handle the complexities of insurance fraud allegations. As former prosecutors, we are also familiar with handling cases that may involve additional criminal charges related to fraud.

We represent clients facing a wide range of insurance fraud charges, including:

Penalties for Insurance Fraud in Arizona

All cases are unique, and the charges and penalties one will face for an insurance fraud conviction will depend on various factors, including the monetary value of the alleged fraud. Generally, individuals convicted of fraud will face fines, restitution, prison time, and employment loss. Insurance fraud is often considered to be a Class 6 felony in Arizona. This can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to $150,000 in fines, and potential civil penalties of $5,000 for each violation.

Common Forms of Insurance Fraud

• Stolen Car: People can fraud car insurance companies by reporting a stolen car, when in actuality, they sold the car for parts or to someone overseas. When the car is sold for parts, the body shop will dismantle the car until it is unrecognizable, creating the perfect cover for the evidence.
• Totaled Car: Some people will intentionally wreck their cars to gain insurance money from the accident. In a car accident, the value of a vehicle is inflated. Therefore, wrecking two cars can increase the profits, and a driver and a “victim” can split the total insurance payout after the dust has settled.
• Unfixed Car Damage: This is by far the most prominent form of auto insurance fraud, and people may not even realize that it’s illegal. Insurance companies are sometimes required to pay out damages, even if the damages don’t affect the car’s performance. Due to this statute, people ask their insurance companies to cut checks to “fix” dents or dings in their cars, but instead of fixing their cars, they end up pocketing it for other purposes. This is an easy scam to perform, but a conviction will lead to serious time behind bars!
• Staged Home Fires: In some scenarios, desperate homeowners will intentionally set their houses on fire to get money for their homes and possessions. They can hire people to set a fire while they’re away, helping them cash in on the insurance money after the fact.
• Health Insurance Billing: Doctors and health care providers may use you for insurance fraud. Doctors can tell insurance companies that they gave you an expensive treatment when in reality, no treatment was required. Thankfully, if a doctor is held guilty for this crime, you will not be held responsible.

Federal Insurance Fraud Defense

Many insurance fraud cases involve federal charges because insurance claims affect interstate commerce. Fraud such as healthcare, Medicare, workers’ compensation, life insurance, staged accidents, faking a disability, etc. are all examples of federally prosecutable offenses.

When the federal government is involved, you could be facing decades of jail time and steep fines. Our team at Suzuki Law Offices are former federal prosecutors who understand how the federal agencies work, and how to properly defend your charges.