Taxi operator in Nunavut criminally charged for insurance fraud, Aviva Canada announces

Aviva Canada has announced that a taxi operator has been criminally charged after filing false invoices in excess of $50,000.

The insurer, a provider of home, auto, recreational vehicle, group and business insurance, announced the criminal charges against the taxi business operator in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut in a press release issued on Wednesday.

On Dec. 30, 2013, David Wiseman, owner of S&G Taxi, reported a furnace fire causing extensive damage to the interior of his taxi business, Aviva Canada said. Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. It is alleged that Wiseman filed false invoices in excess of $50,000, in order to illegally gain additional funds from Aviva Canada, the insurer said in the release.

Wiseman reported that as a result of the fire and damage to his furnace, he was required to rent industrial heaters to heat his property so that S&G Taxi could remain in operation. Additionally, he claimed to have incurred cleanup expenses for the removal of soot from the interior of the property. Invoices were submitted to Aviva Canada totalling approximately $347,000.

The independent adjuster handling the claim on Aviva Canada’s behalf observed an inaccurate rental start date and a fictional vendor name listed on the invoice for the heaters, the release said. As well, he noted that a cleanup of the property did not take place. “Aviva Canada’s subsequent investigation found evidence to suggest that Wiseman misrepresented his loss by allegedly submitting false invoices and attempting to defraud the company of approximately $56,000,” the release said.

The matter was turned over to the RCMP in Rankin Inlet and Wiseman was charged with falsification of documents and using false receipts.

Wiseman has been summoned by the RCMP to appear before the Nunavut Court of Justice in Rankin Inlet on August 10.

“Aviva Canada will also act on its entitlement to deny payment of Wiseman’s entire claim as a result of his alleged exaggeration,” the release said.

“Fraud can happen anywhere,” commented Gordon Rasbach, vice president, anti-fraud management, Aviva Canada. “We are committed to identify and fight fraud to protect our customers in every corner of the country.”

The insurer reports that the impact of insurance fraud in Canada is estimated at over $1.6 billion dollars annually.