North Carolina DOIState DOINC

Two Mecklenburg County residents charged in insurance fraud scheme

Plain English Summary

Two residents from Mecklenburg County, Christopher Hammonds and Ashley Sowers, have been charged with insurance fraud. Sowers allegedly received money for a rental car by falsely claiming her vehicle was undriveable after a crash. Hammonds is accused of trying to collect money from the insurance company by submitting a fake invoice for storage fees, even though the vehicle was seen outside the impound lot during that time. Both individuals have been released on bond. Insurance agents should remain vigilant and report any suspected fraud to help keep insurance costs down.

Read the original source

fraud compliance consumer-protection

+View original text

RALEIGH Aug 25, 2026 North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Christopher Bernard Hammonds, 40, of 4637 Lynn Lee Circle, Charlotte, and Ashely Marie Sowers, 35, of 607 Glasgow Road, Charlotte. Both were charged with insurance fraud. Sowers was also charged with obtaining property by false pretense. Hammonds was also charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretense. All the charges are felonies. Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Sowers of obtaining $889.06 for a rental vehicle after telling N.C. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. that her vehicle, which was involved in a crash on June 24, was undriveable because its rear bumper became detached and was towed by Hammonds of BMG Towing to an impound lot. Hammonds is accused of attempting to obtain $6,875 from the insurance company by submitting an invoice which included 35 days of storage at a daily rate of $75. According to arrest warrants, license plate readers revealed that the vehicle was spotted multiple occasions during that time outside the impoundment lot. In addition, photos indicated that the vehicle’s rear bumper appeared to be intact. According to arrest warrants, law enforcement agencies cited a driver of the vehicle twice during the time the invoice claimed the car was in storage. Sowers and Hammonds were each released under a $2,500 secured bond. Commissioner Mike Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud. “We cannot turn a blind eye to a crime that syphons billions of dollars from taxpayers each year,” said Commissioner Causey. “Insurance fraud must be reported to help hold down future rate increases.” If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov . Related Topics: NCDOI NC Department of Insurance Press Release Fraud Control/Investigations Investigations Press Release