PRICHARD, Ala. (WPMI) — Ontario Johnson thought she had auto insurance coverage till she obtained an alarming cancellation discover from Progressive.

“I learn the data, and I used to be like, ‘Wow, I used to be scammed’,” stated Johnson.

The letter says her coverage “seems to have been bought by an unauthorized agent/dealer improperly utilizing Progressive’s direct distribution channel.” Johnson confirmed us funds she says she made through CashApp for the coverage to a lady claiming to be an agent she met regionally by means of buddies.

“The coverage itself is $500, however at first, she was like, you possibly can simply give me $150,” stated Johnson. “She was like, I make money working from home. You may simply ship me the cash, and I pays it on my finish as a result of I get the low cost. She stated if I had paid it on my finish I would not be capable of get the low cost.”

Johnson says after she realized she’d seemingly been taken for a trip, she known as Prichard Police to report it.

“You recognize, we have now a fraud division that may in all probability like to pay this individual to go to,” stated Dusty Smith, Alabama Division of Insurance coverage Client Companies Division Supervisor.

The Alabama Division of Insurance coverage investigates insurance coverage fraud and recommends customers who assume they have been taken benefit of to file a report with the division.

“We now have a chat characteristic that they’ll use properly, so love to speak to these of us and all of your viewers which can be having this type of situation,” stated Smith.

Smith recommends not paying money or paying the agent immediately, as an alternative make the fee to the insurance coverage firm. It’s also possible to go to their web site and confirm who you are coping with is a licensed insurance coverage agent within the state.

“And the way lengthy they have been licensed and who they’re with. It will inform them what firm,” stated Smith. -steps Johnson needs she’d taken earlier than shelling out lots of of {dollars}.