A Virginia woman and her son, who lied to the insurance company when he crashed her car pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, were sentenced to ten years supervised probation, and ordered to make full restitution of $12,540 to the insurance company.

Tina Lynn Wilder Bryant, of Rose Hill, Virginia, filed a claim with GEICO, stating she was the driver of the vehicle and her son, Dustin Robert Surber, was a passenger when she crashed. Not only did Bryant file a claim for her vehicle, but she also alleged Surber was injured in order to collect insurance for bodily injury.

An investigation by Virginia State Police Senior Special Agent William J. Whitt revealed that Surber had actually been the driver of the crashed vehicle, and Bryant had not even been in the vehicle when it was wrecked. The insurance claim was for both the damage to Bryant’s car and Surber’s injuries as a passenger.

Bryant and Surber were arrested and charged with Obtain Money under False Pretense. They both pleaded guilty. Lee County Circuit Court Judge Tammy S. McElyea sentenced Bryant and Surber to ten years supervised probation and ordered them to pay $12,540 in restitution to the insurance company.

Bryant was ordered to make monthly payments of $300, and Surber was ordered to pay $500 monthly. As part of their sentence, they have to appear before the court if any payments are missed, and their probation will be extended until restitution is made in full.

VSP is committed to “Stamp Out” insurance fraud occurring in the Commonwealth. Anyone who has knowledge of a fraudulent insurance scheme or suspects they may have been the victim of insurance fraud, can report the activity to the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program on the insurance fraud hotline at 1-877-62FRAUD (1-877-623-7283) or go online at the link below. Tipsters remain anonymous and may also be eligible to receive a reward of up to $25,000.