may 11, 2008 show
Click here to listen to the archive show
Topics
Insurance Fraud
The $80 Billion Crime You Pay For " How big is $80 billion"
Fraud Schemes Don't You Fall Prey
Insurance In The News:
Insurance trivia:
Have a question or a comment. Call the show. 480-949-1310
Special Guest
Jim Quiggle
Executive Director Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
www.insurancefraud.org
WHO?
James Quiggle is the coalition's director of communications and fomenter of buzz.
A 20-year veteran of public relations and journalism, Jim joined the coalition staff in March 2000. He's stirring public outrage and stoking consumer support with outreach campaigns that tell the tale of fraud, wag the tail of reform, and unite society to combat it.
He oversees the coalition's outreach strategy, positioning the coalition as one of America's most-trusted authorities on insurance fraud.
Jim's award-winning career has ranged from smoke-filled newsrooms to mahogany-paneled boardrooms.
He has headed public relations for two major national trade associations — the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Most recently he was a public relations consultant and business journalist, specializing in high-tech, banking, trucking, youth services and other industries.
Jim also was an editor and reporter for a small-town daily newspaper, manager of communications for a Washington think tank covering the media's reporting of business, and lead writer for a public relations firm promoting prominent national sports events.
He has been published in news outlets such as The Washington Post, Miami Herald, Chicago Sun Times, Reno Gazette Journal, Virginia Business and others. Jim also has won several public relations awards.
Jim received a BA (cum laude) in psychology from Dickinson College.
WHAT?
The Power of Unity
Flash back to 1993. Spiraling insurance scams were driving everyone's premiums higher and higher. The nation was struggling with a mounting crime wave, looking for answers.
Leaders of the anti-fraud fight realized America needed a catalyst to unite and ignite the power of many diverse groups against rampant fraud. Only a long-term commitment would work against such a deeply entrenched problem.
The vision of these charter members became the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud — the nation's only anti-fraud watchdog that speaks for consumers, insurance companies, legislators, regulators and others.
Control Everyone's Costs
The coalition has become one of America's most trusted and credible anti-fraud forces, thanks to our remarkable diversity. Together, our members are working to control everyone's insurance costs, protect the public safety, and bring this crime wave to its knees.
Since its founding in 1993, the coalition has worked effectively to....
enact tough new anti-fraud laws and regulations
educate the public how to fight back, and
serve as a national clearinghouse of fraud information.
WHERE?
Got a question, working on a story, or just want to brainstorm?
Contact James Quiggle, director of communications and fomentor of buzz... JamesQ@InsuranceFraud.org 202-393-7331
The Insurance Term of the Week
To help you build your insurance vocabulary and be a more informed insurance consumer
Identity theft
Identity theft has reached new criminal proportions. Identity thieves do more than steal credit card numbers they use sophisticated computer technologies to illegally obtain your financial assets and can potentially ruin your credit history.
Identity thieves steal personal identifying information such as names, addresses, date of birth, social security number, drivers license number and then use this personal information to fraudulently obtain cash, credit, goods, services and other property including insurance policies.
Some of the phony tactics include opening up phony bank accounts or stealing from established ones, obtaining unauthorized credit cards and insurance policies, applying for car and house loans and leasing apartments with false names.
Larry's Tip of the Week:
Theft Prevention Tips, "National Insurance Crime Bureau"
Shred or tear up financial documents before discarding them.
Do not print personal identifiers such as social security number, date of birth, or drivers license number on your checks.
Use your social security number only when necessary.
Before revealing any information to another person, ask how it will be used.
Do not provide personal, financial. or identifying information to an unknown telephone caller.
Pay attention to billing cycles. Identity thieves may reroute bills to another address to hide criminal activities.
Carefully review your monthly credit card statements, checking for any unauthorized use.
Minimize the number of cards and identifying information you carry, especially your social security card and passport.