Hail Storm Insurance Fraud - "Dime Spinning"

A contractor was arrested on 14 felony charges following a long investigation stemming from insurance repairs following a 2006 hailstorm that did millions of dollars of damage to Indianapolis-area homes.

Indianapolis Metro police said Joseph M. Radcliff, 33, owner of CPM Construction at 1275 D Racquet Club N. Dr. in Indianapolis, or his employees intentionally damaged the roofs of homes insured by State Farm in an attempt to get large settlements from the insurer.

Radcliff faces numerous counts of corrupt business influence, insurance fraud, criminal mischief and fraud.

Officials said the fraudulent activities cost State Farm $1.75 million. He was arrested as he prepared to go into an arbitration hearing on a State Farm insurance claim.

"As the nation's largest property and casualty insurance company, State Farm is committed to helping law enforcement in developing and implementing programs that help curb crimes like fraud because it impacts our business and our customers."

But it was the testimony of two former CPM employees that made the case. They told a State Farms Claims representative that at CPM "the only way to make money is to create your own damage."

The workers said they called the process "prepping the roof." Investigators say in order for the hail damage to look authentic, there's usually damage to the sidings and gutters. That's where the golf ball and sock trick come in.

"And then they're going to take it and make a striking against the object. Again, not so much on a roofing shingle, but this is something more of an aluminum type nature," Burris said.

According to the former employees, they saw Radcliff "using a golf ball in a tube sock and 'whaling away on aluminum siding to make hail damage.' "

There's also the text message allegedly sent to Radcliff's employees saying, "They are looking for dime spinning [sic]. NO MORE. If caught they will contact police. If caught. Roof will come out of commissions and you will have to get fired to protect the company. Don't do it anymore. NO MORE DIME SPINING [sic]."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• indiana
• hail
• storm
• insurance
• fraud
• joseph
• radcliff
• state
• farm
• roof
• dimespinning
• dime
• spinning

[fratter1798]

State Farm put this guy up as an example to scare people away from making legitimate claims. They are corporate bully's trying to screw people as ofter as possible.

Joke is on them however.  They ended up paying this guy millions for their little scam. Check it out. Serves them right for ripping off people for years.

Look up Contractor Wins 14.5 M judgment against State Farm

[fratter1798]

State Farm put this guy up as an example to scare people away from making legitimate claims. They are corporate bully's trying to screw people as ofter as possible.

Joke is on them however. They ended up paying this guy millions for their little scam. Check it out. Serves them right for ripping off people for years.

[ftscottkillbilly]

Its the big time assholes like that, who make it hard on the honest little guys just trying to make an honest dollar

[hrmoore41]

@Sparkmansongs or could it be dishonesty and greed that led to the fraudulent behaviour?

[Sparkmansongs]

If all insurance companies, especially State Farm, paid "appropriately" on all claims, and that means overhead and profit on single trades, then these guys wouldn't have to do so many jobs. It's the lack of Overhead and profit on jobs that leads to this type of fraudulant behavior.

[thehailking]

I have heard that some contractors that knock on your door will put hail damage on your house if you don’t have any and that there is a website that teaches them how to do it at hailfraud dot

[thehailking]

I have heard that some contractors that knock on your door will put hail damage on your house if you don’t have any and that there is a website that teaches them how to do it

[davetista]

nice! i would've used a bowling ball and said it was "bowling ball sized hail". LMAO those insurance bastards had it coming.

[ImOfNope]

All health care professional should be on a rating system in order to earn their money. So that everyone can get the best care possible. There are a lot of doctors/health care professionals who volunteer their time to help those who have no insurance. This way they can cover more, while making more and be accountable with a rating system. The system needs to be more compassionate and recognized for good work.

[ImOfNope]

Insurance companies need to be eliminated! Plain and simple. The money should go straight to the health care professionals. They have a huge potential of making more money then they do now and they can take care of EVERYONE! Whatever anyone needs for better health. The insurance companies are scams and NEED TO BE ELIMINATED!