MONTEREY COUNTY — Fraud affects everyone, whether it’s higher insurance rates, lost wages or even threats to homes. That’s why the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has formed specialized teams focused on fighting fraud and protecting local residents from financial harm.
These dedicated units target some of the most common — and costly — types of fraud that hit close to home: auto insurance scams, fake healthcare and disability claims, workers’ compensation fraud and real estate scams.
Protecting Workers and Businesses
The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit investigates people who try to cheat the system, including dishonest doctors, lawyers, employers and applicants. These scams drive up costs for employers and take resources away from honest workers. A prosecutor and two investigators work full-time to stop this type of fraud and hold offenders accountable.
Fighting Healthcare and Disability Scams
Fraudulent disability claims and dishonest billing from medical providers make healthcare more expensive for everyone. The Disability and Healthcare Fraud Unit looks into these crimes, whether reported by insurance companies or discovered by investigators. By finding patterns of abuse, the team helps stop scams before they grow.
Stopping Auto Insurance Fraud
The Auto Insurance Fraud Unit takes on staged car crashes, fake injury claims and organized fraud rings involving legal and medical professionals. This kind of fraud not only raises your insurance premiums, it also puts innocent people in danger. The team works cases from start to finish to make sure those who break the law are brought to justice.
Defending Homes and Property
The Real Estate Fraud Unit investigates crimes like forged deeds, fake property sales, mortgage fraud and timeshare scams — especially when people are most vulnerable, such as after a loved one passes away or during a financial crisis. The goal is to protect homeowners and keep property records safe and secure.
The District Attorney’s Office can’t do this work alone. Many cases start with tips from the public. If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, trust instincts and reach out.
To report fraud, call the Fraud Hotline at 831-755-3224 or email Re*********@**************ey.gov.
