Washington officials say woman sold phony insurance to dentists

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner issued a cease-and-desist order against Brenda MacLaren-Beattie and her Des Moines, WA-based company, the MacLaren Group, who are accused of selling fake policies to dentists, according to a story on KOMONews.com.

MacLaren-Beattie had been a holder of a state insurance agent's license since August 1997, but it expired in March of this year.

The insurance commissioner is investigating eight complaints against MacLaren-Beattie, all from dentists and oral surgeons who thought she had sold them business owner coverage. MacLaren-Beattie allegedly told them they were insured with Mutual of Enumclaw, but state officials said she was never affiliated with that company.

Last November, MacLaren-Beattie told state officials she had sold legitimate insurance policies through Berkshire Hathaway in the past. But when the company stopped insuring doctors' offices, she said she was unable to find a replacement company.

MacLaren-Beattie claimed she notified her clients to seek coverage elsewhere and that she was in the process of retiring, according to the story.

But state officials say she sent fraudulent billing statements as recently as June 2009.

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