Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Carlos David Garcia Gonzalez, unlicensed, sold fake insurance policies to Utah drivers.
- He obtained over 1,120 policies using false information, avoiding $832,000 in premiums.
- Garcia faces charges including fraud and is expected to be extradited to Utah.
TAYLORSVILLE — Utahns have been sold "ghost" insurance policies by an out-of-state man who state officials say was not licensed to sell insurance at all.
Carlos David Garcia Gonzalez has been arrested in Texas, accused of ripping off drivers in Utah through a scam the KSL Investigators have reported on before.
In this case, state officials say the policies were real. The problem is how they were obtained.
According to the Utah Insurance Department, Gonzalez was not a licensed insurance agent and obtained more than 1,120 auto insurance policies by submitting false information online.
The scam is especially timely as Utahns continue to deal with soaring auto insurance rates and drivers look for ways to save.
Buying a policy through an unlicensed agent can mean big trouble for drivers.
If there is a crash, state officials warn the claim may not be honored because the policy was obtained using false information. And even without a crash, if an officer runs a driver's plates and the insurance does not check out, it can mean a revoked registration or even an impounded car, Utah Insurance Commissioner Jon Pike told the KSL Investigators.
"Well, the law says that auto owners and drivers are required to have insurance," Pike said.
Drivers are required to have insurance — and required to be straight with the insurance company.
The Utah Insurance Department says Garcia used WhatsApp and Zelle to communicate with consumers and collect money.
Between January 2023 and January 2026, investigators say Garcia's actions resulted in about $832,000 in premium avoidance. They also say he collected more than $84,000 from consumers for obtaining the policies.
The Utah Insurance Department says anyone who believes they bought auto insurance through WhatsApp or Zelle from Garcia should contact their insurance company, review the information on their policy and make any needed corrections to make sure their coverage remains valid.
Garcia is expected to be extradited to Utah. He faces charges including pattern of unlawful activity, communications fraud, insurance fraud, forgery and identity fraud.
