Successfully falsifying a death means someone isn't caught, so it's hard to know how many people succeed at perpetrating this type of fraud. (Photo: Shutterstock) Successfully falsifying a death means someone isn't caught, so it's hard to know how many people succeed at perpetrating this type of fraud. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Mark Twain said, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," when a newspaper mistakenly published his obituary. While death is a serious subject, some may view it as a creative solution to escape their problems.

When the economy is lagging and unemployment is on the rise, it's not unusual for people to fall behind on mortgages, rent, car payments and other debts. The pressure can lead individuals to find new ways to pay for these responsibilities, which can result in some sort of insurance fraud. Faking their death or disappearing is one option.

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Patricia L. Harman

Patricia L. Harman is the editor-in-chief of Claims magazine, a contributing editor to PropertyCasualty360.com, and chairs the annual America's Claims Event (ACE), which focuses on providing claims professionals with cutting-edge education and networking opportunities. She covers auto, property & casualty, workers' compensation, fraud, risk and cybersecurity, and is a frequent speaker at insurance industry events. Contact her at [email protected]

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