Central Insurance Blog

When Hurricane Helene hit in September, it became one of the largest catastrophic claims events in Central’s history. Amid the destruction, another challenge emerged: fraudulent property claims. 

Out-of-state contractors, roofers, and tree service companies descended on impacted communities within days. Bad actors exploited the opportunity to charge thousands of dollars for minimal work, targeting vulnerable residents and straining an already overburdened recovery process.

Inspired by lessons learned in the wake of Helene, Central’s industry-leading Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is hosting the North Carolina Property Seminar on October 2 in Raleigh to combat similar insurance schemes in the future. The event will bring together insurance professionals, law enforcement, defense counsel, and regulatory agencies from North and South Carolina to learn from each other, share strategies, and strengthen their networks. 

“We want our policyholders to know we’re on their side and working in their best interest,” says Jeff Lieberman, director of anti-fraud and recovery at Central Insurance. “Our goal is to share the innovative strategies we’re using to stop fraud and protect our communities, especially in the wake of a catastrophic event as devastating as Hurricane Helene. These efforts will help us ensure recovery dollars go where they’re truly needed.” 

Stepping Up to Lead the Charge

Central’s SIU has always actively engaged in uncovering and investigating insurance fraud. Lieberman and his team take a different approach, building cases against fraudsters and partnering with law enforcement to prosecute those who perpetrate it. 

A United Front Against Fraud

Fraud isn’t just an insurance problem—it impacts our communities, businesses, and neighbors. Haynes recounts a case where an elderly couple paid $10,000 to remove a small pile of limbs after the hurricane.

“There wasn’t a tree on the roof. There wasn’t any structural damage. The homeowners didn’t know who to call after the storm, and scammers got to them first,” she recalls.

While exploitative scams are terrible, they can also serve as proactive and powerful learning tools and open doors to larger, crucial conversations around protecting our communities.

Central’s North Carolina Property Seminar is a prime example. This event aims to strengthen the industry’s ability to protect policyholders while making it clear to fraudsters that their schemes will be challenged. 

The event is an opportunity to share ideas, compare investigative approaches, and connect with industry professionals who can offer support on future investigations. Attendees can expect to walk away with practical strategies for spotting and stopping fraud and a clearer picture of how property scams play out within the region. Central’s property team will also provide insider insights, sharing best practices and lessons learned in the field.

“We want bad actors to know Central’s name and understand exactly what it means,” says Mark Young, major case investigator at Central. “We have the resources, partnerships, and expertise to find them. We don’t look the other way when it comes to fraud; we go after those perpetrating it.”

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About the Event 

The North Carolina Property Seminar will occur in Raleigh on October 2, 2025. Registration is available through the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the North Carolina chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units.

Interested in attending? Register here. 

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