The shame of it all ... #1

Friday's post introduced you to the Insurance Fraud Hall of Shame. It was created by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud in response to the increasing rise of this "white collar crime" in the U.S.

What kind of crimes? This case shows how policyholders can be victims of crime from a trusted professional.

Pictured here is Michael Howell, an insurance agent from Charlotte, N.C. As the Coalition explains, " He was stealing premiums from clients and not buying them the promised coverage. After several complaints, the state insurance department decided it was time to investigate. Auditor Sallie Rohrbach never returned home after she met with Howell and got too close to the truth.

He never confessed to killing Rohrback, but Howell's wife stated he confessed to her. Howell was convicted of stealing over $150,000 in premiums from hundreds of clients. Of course, that left them dangerously uncovered. He'll serve up to 35 years.

Agents scam policyholders throughout U.S., and it is becoming an increasing problem. Sallie Rohrbach discovered that some of these illegal activities turn from theft into murder.