Many people view fraud as a victimless crime or one that has little impact beyond someone’s pocketbook; if an insurance company gets scammed or a down-on-her-luck bookkeeper slips her hand in the money till they argue, the cash isn’t coming out of our pockets. Some fraudsters even use this argument as a defense, if not against conviction, then against a serious penalty. 

But there are plenty of frauds committed against individuals – identify theft, romance cons, investment fraud. And the impact of any one of these can be devastating. Fortunately, there is increasing recognition of the emotional, relationship, and financial havoc that financial crimes cause victims and their families. And another thing we forensic psychologists have learned is that just because someone might not look like a criminal doesn’t mean s/he isn’t dangerous. As you’ll see in my interview with the senior communications director for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, some “white collar” criminals are just as violent and dangerous and any you’d meet in a dark alley or on the “wrong side of the tracks” – and sometimes more so.  

Jim Quiggle is the Coalition’s lead communicator. He joined the Coalition staff in 2000. He oversees the Coalition’s outreach strategy and publicly positions the Coalition as one of America’s most-trusted authorities on insurance fraud.