Abagnale Joins NAIC Anti-Fraud Effort

He once had a reputation as a master of deceit, as portrayed in the 2002 motion picture hit, “Catch Me If You Can.” Now, Frank Abagnale Jr. is equally adept—if not more so—in his endeavors to put a stop to fraudulent activity. Fittingly, then, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has named Abagnale as its official spokesperson for a new national consumer-awareness campaign, “Fight Fake Insurance: Stop. Call. Confirm.”

“Fraudulent health plans have spread across America like a quiet plague. Frank Abagnale’s well known expertise in fighting fraud will shine a spotlight on these scams so we can protect consumers from further harm,” said Montana State Auditor/Insurance and Securities Commissioner John Morrison, who also chairs the NAIC Consumer Protections Working Group.

In the coming months, the NAIC will roll out a comprehensive campaign designed to combat fraudulent insurance sales, emphasizing unauthorized insurance plans, which often are not approved by state insurance regulators and do not offer the benefit requirements of legitimately licensed policies. Public service announcements featuring Abagnale will be key components of the campaign.

“Insurance fraud clearly is a significant problem in the United States,” said Nevada Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman, who chairs the NAIC Unauthorized Entity Media Outreach Subgroup. “As public servants committed to consumer protection, we believe mass communication is one of the most effective means for stopping this abuse. Through this campaign, and Mr. Abagnale’s credible presence, we are getting the word out to a national audience.”

The NAIC’s campaign also will focus on public education about the sale of unauthorized insurance policies in all lines of the insurance industry and will encourage consumers to call their state insurance department if they suspect illegal activity or if they have questions before purchasing an insurance policy.