State warns of business insurance scam
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recently uncovered an insurance scam after an Oregon transportation company discovered its commercial auto and cargo insurance was non-existent.
The agency, through its Division of Financial Regulation, believes Umer M. Masood, under the alias Josh Capello, and Ahmed Salam are fraudulently operating Proactive Indemnity Corp., Proactive Financial Services, and ContingentCargo Co.
The primary business addresses for the companies is listed in Los Angeles. However, there are no registered businesses in California with those names and none of the businesses are licensed to sell insurance in Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has ordered Proactive Indemnity Corp., Proactive Financial Services, and ContingentCargo Co. to stop selling the fraudulent insurance and issued a fine of $120,000.
An Oregon transportation company purchased its insurance online and paid $20,000 in premiums over the course of four years, and received invoices and a certificate of coverage via email from Josh Capello. These certificates were fake; the premiums paid were deposited into banks in Pakistan.
The division believes there may be more Oregon companies that have purchased fraudulent insurance through these entities. Oregonians who have done business with Josh Capello, Ahmed Salam, Proactive Indemnity, Proactive Financial, or ContingentCargo Co. or with information about the entities should contact the division immediately at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).
“We want to hear from anyone who has done business with these entities so that we can prevent further harm,” said Laura Cali, insurance commissioner and administrator of the Division of Financial Regulation. “If you have concerns about an insurance or financial issue, or would like to know more about how to spot a potential scam, contact the division for help.”
To check a license online or get help with a concern or a question, go to dfr.oregon.gov or call 888-877-4894 (toll-free).
The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov and dfr.oregon.gov.
