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CA Department of Insurance
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CA Department of Insurance

Former Delano insurance agent sentenced after embezzling clients’ premium payments

News: 2022 Press Release

For Release: December 21, 2022
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Former Delano insurance agent sentenced after embezzling clients’ premium payments

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Formerly licensed insurance agent Anaiza Villarreal Lopez, 30, of McFarland, was sentenced yesterday in Kern County Superior Court on onecount of grand theft by embezzlement after pocketing clients’ premium payments and leaving several of them uninsured.

After receiving a complaint, the Department of Insurance launched an investigation in February 2020 which found Lopez stole more than $1,200 from seven clients by pocketing their premium payments meant to secure automobile insurance policies. Most of the victims were low income and primarily Spanish speaking. During the investigation, Lopez admitted to diverting the premium payments from her clients’ access cards to her personal “Square” account and using the funds for personal gain. A “Square” account is a point of sale purchasing process from credit and debit cards for business and personal accounts.

Lopez was able to mislead her victims by naming her personal “Square” account “Auto Insurance” in order to lead them to believe their payments were going toward the purchase of auto insurance. In one instance, Lopez’s actions led to an uninsured loss of $4,166, which was fortunately covered by the insurance broker that employed Lopez. Lopez has been ordered to pay restitution to each of her victims, including her employer. Lopez’s license was revoked on October 5, 2022.   

This case was prosecuted by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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