Special to IFN

A Statesville woman has been charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretenses following an investigation by N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Katherine Marie Lovelace, 53, of Adams Street, Statesville, in a news release Wednesday.

Special agents allege that Lovelace added pre-existing damage to her automobile insurance damage claim in December 2024. The pre-existing damage would have added about $3,000 to the claim, according to the arrest warrant.

Statesville police officers arrested Lovelace on March 18. She was given a $3,500 secured bond pending a March 19 appearance in Iredell County District Court.

Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.

“Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” Causey said. “It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.”

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, you may anonymously report it by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.