The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Press Releases

• Published on February 6, 2024 - 16:54 GMT

  

  Commissioner Downing Announces Historic Settlement with State Farm Regarding Unfair Claim Settlement Practices

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The parties agreed that certain auto accident claimants were inappropriately denied payment. Helena, MT, February 6, 2024—Troy Downing, the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), announced today a settlement with …

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• Published on January 9, 2024 - 00:59 GMT

  

  2023 PBM Transparency Report Released by Commissioner Downing

  Helena, Mont.- In 2021, Commissioner Downing requested legislation which was introduced by Senator Hertz to oversee Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). The bill became law and requires PBMs to be licensed and provide an annual transparency report to CSI. …

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• Published on January 5, 2024 - 23:16 GMT

  

  Commission of Securities & Insurance partners with FBI to spread scam awareness

  HELENA — The elderly are often targeted in financial scams, typically through their computers and cell phones, and Montana is no different. “I get probably ten scam emails a day and one or two ‘robocalls’ a month,” said 80-year-old Fred Cowie. He …

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• Published on January 5, 2024 - 22:19 GMT

  

  Forsyth woman sentenced for insurance fraud

  Forsyth woman was sentenced Thursday to 51 months in prison for defrauding customers through her insurance brokerage business to finance her alcohol and gambling addictions. Kileen Moria Hagadone, 57, pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and aggravated …

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• Published on December 29, 2023 - 21:02 GMT

  

  $50,000 restitution check awarded to Anaconda fraud victim

  HELENA — Commissioner Troy Downing signed a $50,000 restitution check for a fraud victim Friday, according to a news release from the office of the Montana State Auditor. Susan Bivins, of Anaconda, was the victim of an elaborate fraud scheme that cost her …

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• Published on November 20, 2023 - 22:18 GMT

  

  Commissioner Downing Moves Land Board to Approve Purchase of 328-Acre North Wildcat Coulee Wildlife Management Area

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Helena, Montana – Commissioner Troy Downing and the Montana Land Board voted to approve the purchase of the Lower Yellowstone River Project and the North Wildcat Coulee Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The 328-acre property is located …

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• Published on November 17, 2023 - 21:32 GMT

  

  Butte seniors warned of phone and online scams

  BUTTE — Scammers are always trying to con people out of their money and unfortunately, their most vulnerable victims live in places like one retirement home in Butte, where some residents say they’ve already had some experiences with these predators. “Oh …

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• Published on November 15, 2023 - 05:08 GMT

  

  Bingo event held at Highgate Senior Living hopes to help protect elderly against scams

  BILLINGS, Mont. — Thursday the Highgate Senior Living home was visited by the MontanaCommissioner of Securities and Insurance for their monthly fraud prevention bingo event  The Investor Education and Public Outreach Coordinator, Blair Stapleton said the …

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• Published on October 26, 2023 - 18:38 GMT

  

  Former Billings agent ordered to pay $86K for defrauding insurance company

  BILLINGS – A former Billings insurance agent must pay back more than $86,000 in restitution after she pleaded guilty to defrauding an insurance company by falsifying records for dozens of fake clients, then collecting commission, Montana Commissioner of …

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• Published on October 25, 2023 - 22:10 GMT

  

  Billings Agent Pleads Guilty to Felony Insurance Fraud

  Commissioner Downing Applauds Another Successful CSI Prosecution Helena, Mont.- Former Billings insurance agent Jessica Siegel pleaded guilty in Montana’s 13th District Court to criminal insurance fraud. Siegel was ordered to pay more than $86,000 in …

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• Published on September 25, 2023 - 18:49 GMT

  

  Montana addresses public safety concerns with new bail bondsman regulations

  MISSOULA, Mont. — Bail bondsmen showing up at homes with guns drawn creates the potential for dangerous encounters. We’re digging into the issue to find out how the state is working to improve public safety. Video shows a tense moment back in 2020 for Park …

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• Published on September 20, 2023 - 22:47 GMT

  

  Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

  THE OFFICE OF THE MONTANA STATE AUDITOR, COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES AND INSURANCE | 840 HELENA AVE. | HELENA, MT | 59601

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• Published on August 30, 2023 - 18:29 GMT

  

  REDC Facilitates Meeting for Commissioner Downing

  September 25, 2023August 30, 2023 On Wednesday, Aug. 23, REDC participated in an informational meeting with Montana‘s Commissioner of Securities & Insurance (CSI), Troy Downing. Downing and his team were traveling across Montana to spread the word …

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• Published on August 25, 2023 - 18:32 GMT

  

  Havre Hears Presenation on Financial Fraud

  Havre Daily News By Patrick Johnston Montana Auditor Troy Downing was at North Central Senior Citizens Center Thursday to give a presentation on common forms of financial fraud, part of a 14-stop tour aiming to promote awareness, improve prevention and …

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• Published on August 23, 2023 - 18:36 GMT

  

  Elder fraud on the rise, Commissioner says

  By Greg Hitchcock I The Sidney Herald Aug 23, 2023  On a tour of eastern Montana, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) Troy Downing stopped off in Sidney to give a presentation on elder fraud in the hopes of preventing scams from ever …

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• Published on August 17, 2023 - 21:07 GMT

  

  Commissioner Troy Downing Encourages Montanans to Prepare for Fire Season

  Helena, Mont.- Wildfire season is real and is now. It is threatening homes, businesses, and property. Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing advises Montanans to be prepared for loss due to wildfire and to take steps now to mitigate risk and protect their …

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• Published on August 16, 2023 - 23:16 GMT

  

  Commissioner Downing Prohibits Insurance Companies from Refusing to Issue Policies in Low-Risk Fire Areas

  Downing Promises Aggressive Enforcement Helena, Mont.- State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Troy Downing put insurance companies on notice that CSI will aggressively pursue insurance companies that deny coverage in low-risk fire areas …

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• Published on August 16, 2023 - 23:16 GMT

  

  State’s consumer protection public education tour hits Billings Monday

  Downing is inviting the public to educate investors, seniors, and consumers on safeguarding their finances. The commissioner and CSI staff are hosting 12 events across Eastern Montana over five days. These educational sessions will include snacks and …

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• Published on August 16, 2023 - 15:29 GMT

  

  Commissioner Downing Adds Two Stops to the Protecting the Big Sky Tour

  The whirlwind five-day, 12-stop tour of eastern Montana, just got better as Commissioner Downing announced two Coffee with the Commissioner events in Miles City and Sidney. As the Montana Securities Commissioner, Downing’s top priority is stopping …

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• Published on August 4, 2023 - 18:55 GMT

  

  Judge Approves Liquidation of Western Title and Escrow

  Helena, Mont.-Today, Commissioner Troy Downing announced that District Court Judge Leslie Halligan has ordered Western Title and Escrow (WTE) into liquidation. The order follows a 2022 ruling that placed the company, owned by Julie Leary, into receivership …

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