Charlotte man charged with insurance fraud after alleged vending machine crime

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A Charlotte man is facing insurance fraud charges after a situation involving an abandoned vending machine, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Bradon Jones, who lives in the Ayrsley area, is accused of filing insurance claims for an abandoned vending machine on his property through Liberty Mutual and its subsidiary, Ohio Security Insurance Company, under his business name.

The incident happened on June 26 and Jones was arrested on July 16. He was charged with obtaining property by false pretense and four counts of insurance fraud. Jones was later released from jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

Officials say Jones did not own the vending machine and was not licensed to operate it. Also, another insurance claim for the machine was filed through previous insurance.

“Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet,” said NCDOI Commissioner Mike Causey. “Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud.”

Anyone who suspects insurance fraud is asked to anonymously report it by calling the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or, in N.C., calling the toll-free number, 888-680-7684.

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