Insurance agent Brenda Cervantes, 31, of Oxnard, Calif., and unlicensed employee Edith Arellano-Quinones, 39, of Ojai, were arraigned on Tuesday on misdemeanor counts of insurance fraud after allegedly selling auto insurance without proper licensing and putting their customers’ coverage and information at risk.
Investigators from the California Department of Insurance reportedly conducted undercover visits to a number of Victoria’s Auto Insurance Services in Ventura County to obtain quotes for insurance services.
Investigator visits, along with interviews with employees and customers, reportedly revealed Arellano-Quinones was operating and supervising a branch of Victoria’s Auto Insurance Services in Oxnard without being properly licensed as an insurance agent. Arellano-Quinones was previously licensed by the CDI, but surrendered her license in 2008.
Arellano-Quinones allegedly illegally used login credentials from various insurance companies provided by Cervantes, a licensed insurance agent who also worked for Victoria’s Auto Insurance Services. Cervantes provided these login credentials to several employees who were not licensed to provide quotes to customers, according to CDI investigators.
The investigation also determined Arellano-Quinones was knowingly, and at the direction of Cervantes, providing insurance advice and recommendations without a license.
Cervantes and Arellano-Quinones pleaded not guilty and will return to court on Nov. 2. The CDI is taking action against Cervantes’ license. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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