(The Center Square) – Oregon authorities have pulled the license of an insurance agent after she was tied to fraudulent activity.
Tricia Klock, who ran a Salem-based insurance business, recently had her license revoked by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.
DFR revoked her license because she committed fraudulent activities, including “identity theft, misrepresenting details of insurance policies to her clients, and raising coverage on a vehicle after an accident,” according to a press release from the Division.
The Division took this action on Sept. 20. It also fined her $11,000.
It comes after Klock was convicted on four counts of identity theft in April. She used people’s personal identification for her benefit, the release said.
The release said Klock did the following to misrepresent herself while working as an insurance agent:
Falsely telling an insurance investigator that coverage increased prior to an accidentInstructing her client to falsely report to an insurance company claims investigator that Klock had previously contacted them about higher auto coverageFalsely representing that an insurance policy included full coverage for all vehicles in a familyIncreasing coverage for a family’s vehicles immediately after learning of a car accidentFalsely representing to her client that a payment made would be applied to insurance premiumsLying about full coverage of an auto policy
Klock, a travel agent, faced accusations from former travel clients in 2019 of stealing money after not booking trips clients already paid for through her agency. Some clients even had no return trip booked when they were stuck in a foreign country.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when dealing with travel agents and insurance providers,” the release said. “Consumers are urged to thoroughly check the credentials of agents and agencies they engage with, to ensure that they are dealing with reputable professionals.”
Klock also owned a childcare business from 2003 to 2016 and has been a self-employed interior designer since 2010, according to her LinkedIn page.
The Division of Financial Regulation wants consumers to take the following precautions, according to the release:
Verify credentials: Always confirm the credentials of travel agents and insurance agents. Legitimate professionals will have proper licenses and certifications.Check references: Ask for and verify references from past clients. Reputable agents will have satisfied customers willing to vouch for their services.Review contracts carefully: Read all contracts and agreements thoroughly before making any payments. Ensure that all services and coverages are clearly outlined.Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity or encounter questionable practices, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
The state urges people to stay “vigilant and informed” to protect themselves from financial harm and to ensure their travel plans and insurance coverage are “secure and legitimate.”
The state urges victims of fraud to contact DFR’s advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
