Gastonia man charged with three counts felony insurance fraud after accused of forging doctor’s note

GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Gastonia man was charged with insurance fraud Thursday after state officials claim he forged a doctor’s related to his physical therapy treatment. 

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that 53-year-old Samuel Dwayne Collins, of southeast Gastonia. was charged with three counts of insurance fraud, two counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies. 

According to state documents, Collins presented altered physical therapy receipts and an altered doctor’s note to Integon General Insurance Corp. in an attempt to obtain payment on insurance claims. 

DOI alleges offenses occurred between April 15 and May 6.  

Special agents served Collins with the criminal summonses on Sept. 17. He is scheduled to appear in Gaston County District Court on Nov. 17. 

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

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