Iowa officials warn of workers’ compensation scam using fake hearings, awards – thegazette.com
The Gazette
A Cedar Rapids Community School District bus has its stop arm extended at the Education Leadership Support Center in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, August 7, 2014.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during a press event April 24 at the QTS Data Center campus in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing logo
Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing is warning workers’ compensation claimants about an elaborate scam involving fraudulent hearing notices, bogus proceedings and demands for up-front payments.
In one recent case, an injured worker received a letter on counterfeit letterhead designed to resemble correspondence from DIAL’s Workers’ Compensation Division. After the worker contacted the scammers, they scheduled and conducted what appeared to be a workers’ compensation hearing.
The scammers later sent the worker a fraudulent decision stating he had won more than $180,000 in benefits but would have to pay $6,000 in up-front fees before receiving the money, according to DIAL.
The worker contacted the state agency before making the payment, and officials confirmed the proceeding and award were fraudulent.
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing logo
DIAL said legitimate state agencies and administrative law courts do not require up-front payments, wire transfers or other fees to release workers’ compensation awards or settlements.
Officials are urging Iowans who receive suspicious workers’ compensation correspondence to independently contact DIAL or their attorney using verified contact information rather than phone numbers or email addresses contained in the correspondence.
Suspected scams can be reported to local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-888-777-4590 or online at www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov. DIAL recommends victims retain any letters, emails and phone numbers associated with the scheme to assist investigators.
The Iowa Insurance Division is warning Iowans about a multistate identity theft and insurance fraud scheme that regulators say targets job seekers and prospective insurance agents.
According to the division, scammers are contacting people and encouraging them to obtain an Iowa resident insurance producer license, promising to handle sales leads and policy administration on their behalf. Once a person is licensed, the scammers obtain the producer’s National Producer Number and other licensing credentials.
The credentials then are used to issue unauthorized health and life insurance policies in consumers’ names, allowing scammers to collect commissions and, in some cases, federal subsidies available for coverage purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, the division said. Regulators said scammers may alter or fabricate consumer information to maximize payments through federal advance premium tax credits.
The division said the scammers generally operate from offshore locations.
Regulators warned prospective insurance producers not to provide licensing credentials to third parties offering to write or manage policies under their names. Doing so could expose the license holder to legal liability, loss of their license or potential fraud charges.
Consumers should watch for insurance documents, bills or tax notices involving policies they did not request or authorize, which could indicate their identity has been compromised.
Iowans who believe they have been targeted or discover an unauthorized policy in their name can report it to the Iowa Insurance Division at 515-654-6556 or online at https://ofrs.naic.org/.
The U.S. House unanimously passed bipartisan legislation Monday led by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, aimed at strengthening federal investigations and prosecutions of international trade crimes.
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act would establish a dedicated structure within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute offenses including tariff evasion, illegal transshipment and forced-labor violations.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during a press event April 24 at the QTS Data Center campus in Cedar Rapids.
The legislation would increase coordination and training among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, support parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions, and require the U.S. attorney general to submit annual reports to Congress on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat trade crimes.
Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, said the measure is intended in particular to counter trade violations involving China that she said harm U.S. workers and manufacturers.
“China has spent decades finding ways to undermine American workers and our economy,” Hinson said in a statement. “My bill will finally give the DOJ real tools to stop these blatant violations and ensure penalties are meaningfully enforced.”
She touted the bill’s passage as “a huge win for American workers and domestic manufacturing.”
Hinson introduced the legislation with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and John Moolenaar, R-Mich., the chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn also joined as a co-sponsor.
The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is reminding drivers to obey school bus and school-zone traffic laws as students return to classrooms across Iowa.
“Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, but also dangerous,” Bird said in a statement. “There’s lots of construction on our Iowa roads right now. It’s easy to get distracted, even near school bus stops and schools. Please, remember to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones.”
A Cedar Rapids Community School District bus has its stop arm extended at the Education Leadership Support Center in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, August 7, 2014.
Drivers approaching a stopped school bus must stop at least 15 feet away and cannot proceed until its red lights stop flashing and stop arm is lifted, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Passing a stopped school bus can result in a fine and driver’s license suspension.
Bird reminded motorists to watch for reduced speed limits around schools. The posted speed limit on school grounds is typically 15 mph, and speed limits are also reduced on nearby roads during school hours.
Students driving with school permits must follow restrictions on when and where they can drive. Students generally may drive without an adult between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. and must take the most direct route between home and school or authorized school activities.
The Attorney General’s Office encouraged students who walk or bike to school to use designated crosswalks, watch for traffic and avoid entering streets from between parked vehicles.
Suspicious people, vehicles, packages or other activity around schools should be reported to school officials and local law enforcement, Bird’s office said.
Get the latest Iowa politics and government coverage each morning in the On Iowa Politics newsletter.
Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief
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This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
A Cedar Rapids Community School District bus has its stop arm extended at the Education Leadership Support Center in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, August 7, 2014.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during a press event April 24 at the QTS Data Center campus in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing logo
Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing is warning workers’ compensation claimants about an elaborate scam involving fraudulent hearing notices, bogus proceedings and demands for up-front payments.
In one recent case, an injured worker received a letter on counterfeit letterhead designed to resemble correspondence from DIAL’s Workers’ Compensation Division. After the worker contacted the scammers, they scheduled and conducted what appeared to be a workers’ compensation hearing.
The scammers later sent the worker a fraudulent decision stating he had won more than $180,000 in benefits but would have to pay $6,000 in up-front fees before receiving the money, according to DIAL.
The worker contacted the state agency before making the payment, and officials confirmed the proceeding and award were fraudulent.
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing logo
DIAL said legitimate state agencies and administrative law courts do not require up-front payments, wire transfers or other fees to release workers’ compensation awards or settlements.
Officials are urging Iowans who receive suspicious workers’ compensation correspondence to independently contact DIAL or their attorney using verified contact information rather than phone numbers or email addresses contained in the correspondence.
Suspected scams can be reported to local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-888-777-4590 or online at www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov. DIAL recommends victims retain any letters, emails and phone numbers associated with the scheme to assist investigators.
The Iowa Insurance Division is warning Iowans about a multistate identity theft and insurance fraud scheme that regulators say targets job seekers and prospective insurance agents.
According to the division, scammers are contacting people and encouraging them to obtain an Iowa resident insurance producer license, promising to handle sales leads and policy administration on their behalf. Once a person is licensed, the scammers obtain the producer’s National Producer Number and other licensing credentials.
The credentials then are used to issue unauthorized health and life insurance policies in consumers’ names, allowing scammers to collect commissions and, in some cases, federal subsidies available for coverage purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, the division said. Regulators said scammers may alter or fabricate consumer information to maximize payments through federal advance premium tax credits.
The division said the scammers generally operate from offshore locations.
Regulators warned prospective insurance producers not to provide licensing credentials to third parties offering to write or manage policies under their names. Doing so could expose the license holder to legal liability, loss of their license or potential fraud charges.
Consumers should watch for insurance documents, bills or tax notices involving policies they did not request or authorize, which could indicate their identity has been compromised.
Iowans who believe they have been targeted or discover an unauthorized policy in their name can report it to the Iowa Insurance Division at 515-654-6556 or online at https://ofrs.naic.org/.
The U.S. House unanimously passed bipartisan legislation Monday led by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, aimed at strengthening federal investigations and prosecutions of international trade crimes.
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act would establish a dedicated structure within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute offenses including tariff evasion, illegal transshipment and forced-labor violations.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks during a press event April 24 at the QTS Data Center campus in Cedar Rapids.
The legislation would increase coordination and training among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, support parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions, and require the U.S. attorney general to submit annual reports to Congress on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat trade crimes.
Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, said the measure is intended in particular to counter trade violations involving China that she said harm U.S. workers and manufacturers.
“China has spent decades finding ways to undermine American workers and our economy,” Hinson said in a statement. “My bill will finally give the DOJ real tools to stop these blatant violations and ensure penalties are meaningfully enforced.”
She touted the bill’s passage as “a huge win for American workers and domestic manufacturing.”
Hinson introduced the legislation with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and John Moolenaar, R-Mich., the chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn also joined as a co-sponsor.
The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is reminding drivers to obey school bus and school-zone traffic laws as students return to classrooms across Iowa.
“Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, but also dangerous,” Bird said in a statement. “There’s lots of construction on our Iowa roads right now. It’s easy to get distracted, even near school bus stops and schools. Please, remember to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones.”
A Cedar Rapids Community School District bus has its stop arm extended at the Education Leadership Support Center in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, August 7, 2014.
Drivers approaching a stopped school bus must stop at least 15 feet away and cannot proceed until its red lights stop flashing and stop arm is lifted, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Passing a stopped school bus can result in a fine and driver’s license suspension.
Bird reminded motorists to watch for reduced speed limits around schools. The posted speed limit on school grounds is typically 15 mph, and speed limits are also reduced on nearby roads during school hours.
Students driving with school permits must follow restrictions on when and where they can drive. Students generally may drive without an adult between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. and must take the most direct route between home and school or authorized school activities.
The Attorney General’s Office encouraged students who walk or bike to school to use designated crosswalks, watch for traffic and avoid entering streets from between parked vehicles.
Suspicious people, vehicles, packages or other activity around schools should be reported to school officials and local law enforcement, Bird’s office said.
Get the latest Iowa politics and government coverage each morning in the On Iowa Politics newsletter.
Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Thanks for signing up. Keep an eye on your inbox for the next edition.
ℹ️ You may want to whitelist emails from
thegazette@adamspg-email.com
to make sure it doesn’t go to your spam folder!
Get the latest news and more delivered right to your inbox every day at 7:00 am.
Share Your Voice Your trust matters to us. Share your thoughts or suggest a story here.
To view our latest eEdition, click the image on the left.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
