FORT SMITH, Ark. — Leigh Ann "Annie" Saffer was arrested in Sebastian County again on May 1, a few months after being found guilty of practicing law without authorization alongside her husband in March.
Saffer is now accused of violating the Fraudulent Insurance Act by providing false statements to an insurance company and posing as an employee of an insurance company, according to an arrest affidavit.
Two individuals were in a car accident on Jan. 29 in Van Buren. A week later, the report says Saffer called Farmers Union Insurance to file a claim under the driver's name when she said the passenger of the vehicle was injured in the accident.
Farmers Union reached out to the passenger, "who denied being injured in the accident," the affidavit says. She also said her child, who was also a passenger in the car, was not injured either.
Farmers Union reportedly reached out to the insured driver of the accident, whom Saffer filed the claim under, for details about the accident. Both the driver and the passenger told the insurance company that a person by the name of "Annie" reached out to them.
When Saffer called the driver, the report said Saffer claimed to be a Farmers Union employee. According to the affidavit, Saffer demanded money from the driver because "her policy had lapsed."
After the driver argued with Saffer, the affidavit says Saffer threatened to file a police report for "endangering the welfare of a minor due to the accident."
The driver filed a report to Farmers Union and the Arkansas Insurance Department Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with Saffer's number attached on Feb. 28.
"Farmers Union's point of concern is that Saffer identified herself as an employee of Farmers Union and is not an employee," the report says.
Saffer was arrested on a $10,000 bond. A no-contact order was also put in place.
In March, Saffer and her husband were found guilty after soliciting business for car accident victims on behalf of chiropractors under false pretenses.
Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen said the couple used local police reports to find car accident victims as potential clients. They then contacted the victims and presented themselves as legal experts capable of interpreting legal documents and negotiating with insurance companies.
"This is a widespread problem across the state," McCutchen said. "Not only do these deceptive practices exploit vulnerable people, but they also drive up our insurance rates. It’s time we put a stop to these deceptive practices immediately."
March report:
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