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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Bakersfield dental assistant arraigned for insurance fraud and theft

News: 2020 Press Release

For Release: June 25, 2020
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Bakersfield dental assistant arraigned for insurance fraud and theft
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Registered dental assistant Maria Uranday, 40, was arraigned last week on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, identity theft, and grand theft after allegedly falsifying insurance claims to AFLAC in order to receive undeserved payouts.
An investigation by the Department of Insurance revealed Uranday used her inside knowledge gained from working at a dental practice to submit four fraudulent insurance claims to AFLAC in 2017 for procedures she or her family members never had performed. Each claim submitted by Uranday contained manufactured documentation to further her scheme and also used the personal identifying information of Uranday's former employer. AFLAC paid Uranday $2,140 based on her fraudulent insurance claims.
Uranday self-surrendered on June 19, 2020 at the Kern County Superior Court with her attorney and will be back in court in August 2020 for a preliminary hearing. The Kern County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting this case.
 
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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