VSP - Insurance Fraud Program

One act of fraud can cause a ripple of negative impacts for everyone in Virginia! Insurance fraud causes insurance companies to raise their premiums, causing businesses to raise their prices, which makes EVERYTHING more expensive for you!

Here are some tips to help seniors and older adults to avoid scams and fraud.

❎ Never share personal information. If someone you don’t know asks for information like bank account details or your Social Security number over the phone, email, or text, it could be a scam.

❎ Don’t get pressured by an insurance agent to act quickly. Take your time to get all the details and get help from someone you trust before rushing into purchasing a policy.

❎ If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Random calls about prizes or winning sums of money are almost never legit.

Did you know vehicle fraud is the most common type of insurance fraud in Virginia? 🚗 😲 Staged accidents, deliberate damage, and mechanics overcharging for repairs are all types of vehicle fraud. If you have suspicions about an act of insurance fraud, report it to us right away.

Presenting the recipients of the 2026 Fraud Fighter Awards! Each year, we recognize members of fraud investigation units, law enforcement, and attorneys who go above and beyond in helping reduce insurance fraud in Virginia. Keep up the good work, and let’s continue to combat fraud in the Commonwealth!

What would you do with an extra $1,000 in your pocket? Fraudulent insurance claims in Virginia exceed $20 million each year and millions more in fraudulent claims are attempted. This costs the average Virginia family up to $1,000 a year in higher costs and premiums. 💸

With the rainy spring season coming up, unsavory contractors may try to take advantage of potential damage caused by a storm. ⛈️ A typical case of property fraud looks like this:

A contractor shows up at your door out of the blue after a storm and offers to inspect your property for damage. They may try to cause more damage themselves while claiming it was from the storm. Then they’ll pressure you to sign a contract or pay their overcharged amount upfront while saying your homeowner’s insurance will cover it. This is fraud! 🙅‍♂️

Always use a licensed contractor that comes AFTER you’ve made the initial call to your insurance company and never pay in full before the work is done. If you suspect insurance fraud, report it at the link in our bio!

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Virginia State Police

Curious about how the Virginia State Police investigates the three most common types of insurance fraud? Find out how dash cams, witnesses, and submitted tips can help the Insurance Fraud Program make the appropriate arrests and reduce fraud in the Commonwealth. Hear it from First Sergeant Peter Lazear in his Closer Look interview on K-LOVE!

LOCAL Closer Look: Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program | Positive Encouraging K-LOVE Glen Motto met First Sergeant Peter Lazear, Statewide Program Coordinator of the Virginia Department of State Police’s Insurance Fraud Program to discuss how insurance fraud drives up costs for everyone and how to spot fraud and avoid it. Lazear explains how the department investigates property, c...

We're happy to recognize another 2025 Fraud Fighter Award winner, Detective Gaetano Drago with the Richmond Police Department! Detective Drago has done extraordinary work to help reduce insurance fraud in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Congratulations to all of this year's winners!