Christina Fiscella is a seasoned insurance fraud investigator. During Fraudtalks, she shared the real life stories of fraudulent insurance claims that were presented by different types of “elderly” people who wanted to cash in on their insurance policies.
Historically Insurance carriers have bypassed the senior demographic as potential parties involved in suspect insurance claims. This is due largely to a culture of “respecting your elders” and a belief this demographic is more honest than others. However, there has been an overwhelming increase in the number of fraudulent claims that involve those over the age of 55. Our perception is not always reality, and the reality is that we need to change the way we think about this demographic and how we investigate these types of claims
The emergence of these older insureds placing suspect claims has occurred due to economic changes in the housing market, market crashes, failed 401k programs, and one of the largest aging populations in history. When the economic climate shifted, it caused so many to either loose the retirement they built, or didn’t plan for accordingly.
This economic stress, along with accumulating health issues and driving medical costs, have forced some members of the baby boomer generation to place fraudulent insurance claims to either supplement their income, support a once lavish life style, or simply to survive.
About the speaker
Christina Fiscella has spent the last year 23 years of her career combating insurance fraud in a variety of roles. She has served as an SIU investigator for several large P&C insurance carriers, investigating multi-faced, complex and sometimes high profile, auto and property claims including large scale arsons and thefts, saving companies tens of millions from by stopping fraudulent payouts.
Christina also started a national multi-line SIU Department for a specialty commercial carrier. She was a Criminal Detective with the NJ Attorney General’s Office, Office of the Insurance Fraud prosecutor.
Additionally, Christina is a professional trainer and public speaker, having presented to law enforcement personnel and fraud professionals for organizations including The International Association of Special Investigators, New Jersey Special Investigators Association, The New Jersey Police Training Commission, and is currently an instructor for the National White Collar Crime Center.
