SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis on Monday, Oct. 25, announced a new public awareness campaign featuring a series of short ads placed on over 340 movie screens in theaters across San Diego County aimed at curbing insurance fraud. Insurance fraud costs California consumers an estimated $15 billion dollars every year and the DA’s Office hopes the campaign will make people think twice before committing the crime.
“During difficult economic times, insurance fraud has been shown to increase,” said DA Dumanis. “This powerful anti-fraud message will be seen by an estimated 37,000 people every day in San Diego County.”
This movie ad campaign seeks to deter people from committing Workers’ Compensation Fraud and Auto Insurance Fraud. The tagline, “Don’t do it, don’t tolerate it, report it” encourages the public to respond to the fraud problem by contacting the District Attorney’s Office.
The District Attorney’s Office has an entire division dedicated to reducing insurance fraud that works closely with the California Department of Insurance to enhance public awareness, deter potential defrauders, and proactively investigate and prosecute insurance fraud.
Dennis Jay, Executive Director of the Washington D.C.-based Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, praised the DA’s proactive approach. “Insurance fraud imposes higher costs on the honest citizens and businesses of San Diego County. This fraud tax adds to everyone’s burden in a down turned economy. We must send a loud warning: Commit insurance fraud, and you’ll get caught,” said Jay. “Reaching out to moviegoers with this message is an innovative idea that will help enlist a new generation of people in to the campaign to prevent fraud.”
The new public awareness campaign is funded through insurance fraud grants from the California Workers’ Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission and the California Department of Insurance. The movie theater ads are scattered across the County and began running October 22. They will appear in until December 3.
The public may contact the Insurance Fraud Division of the DA’s Office with questions and can report suspected fraud at 800-315-7672.
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Preceding provided by District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis