N.J. Woman Charged in Scheme to Steal $175K from Insurance Annuity Policies

A New Jersey woman has been charged with insurance fraud and other offenses in an alleged scheme to steal more than $175,000 from the insurance annuity policies of two individuals.

Vashanta Stroud-Bennett, 45, of Paterson, N.J., was charged with second degree insurance fraud, second degree theft by deception, second degree impersonation, third degree impersonation and third degree attempted theft by deception. The charges were contained in an indictment handed up by a State Grand Jury in Trenton, N.J., on February 4.

According to the indictment, on or between July 23 and August 1 of 2017, Stroud-Bennett obtained personal identifying information pertaining to two individuals and assumed their identities in an attempt to obtain money from their insurance annuity policies.

In the first case, Stroud-Bennett allegedly impersonated policy owner P.C in two withdrawal requests submitted to Voya Insurance and Annuity Company, also known as Voya Financial. Stroud-Bennett also allegedly impersonated P.C. in an email to Voya Financial and in a conversation with a company representative in connection with the distribution requests.

In the second case, Stroud-Bennett allegedly impersonated policy owner L.C. in a withdrawal request submitted to Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. She also allegedly impersonated L.C. in a phone conversation with an Allianz representative in connection with the withdrawal request.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.