News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 23, 2009

TIGNALL, Ga.---A North Augusta insurance salesman is in hot water, charged with insurance fraud. It happened earlier this month in Tignall, GA when officers arrested and charged Ralph Duncan with insurance fraud and simple battery.

One woman claims Duncan took more than $300 from her for a health insurance policy she says he never filed. Now Tignall police officers believe more potential victims could be out there.

Antoinette Turner says it started in February when Ralph Duncan, a street insurance salesman for the last 35 years came to renew her mother's insurance policy. She renewed her mother's and bought one for herself, paying Duncan more than
$300. But then weeks later, she hit a dead end.

"When I called back to check and see why I hadn't received the papers to fill out for the beneficiary, they told me we still weren't in the system," says Antoinette Turner.

Then the house Antoinette and her family lived in was destroyed in an electric fire. But months later she says Duncan tracked her down wanting $400 for another policy, even fighting over paperwork.

"He had gotten money from me once and then to try to get money from me again knowing that I had lost everything in the fire, that's just awful," says Antoinette.

Tignall Police Chief Mike Arrington believes things don't end here.

"There may be several more victims to this fraud," says Chief Arrington.

Chief Arrington believes because Duncan has been an agent for 35 years may give some people a false sense of security.

"This gentleman's been working in this area for a number of years and people are probably accustomed to him and that may be where the problem is. They don't really see an issue unless something comes up with their paperwork," says Chief Arrington.

"I knew that he had taken my money and that my mama no longer had insurance with them," says Antoinette.

Antoinette just hopes she can help other victims, if there are any out there. "I believe right now that there's a lot of people that believe they have insurance and they don't," says Antoinette.

Combined Insurance says Ralph Duncan has been placed on administrative leave. They say they are fully cooperating with authorities and conducting their own internal investigation into the charges. They have also refunded Antoinette Turner her $325.

News 12 did talk with Ralph Duncan, he refused to comment other than denying the allegations. His attorney says Duncan has had no other issues in the last 35 years and that it was all a misunderstanding.
One woman claims Duncan took more than $300 from her for a health insurance policy she says he never filed. Now Tignall police officers believe more potential victims could be out there.