What’s New with NICTA: Overview of New and Updated Courses

Fraud is an ever-evolving landscape. Every year, scammers develop new schemes and tactics that allow them to “game the system” and take advantage of insurers and their policy holders. 

Fortunately, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is ever-evolving too. 

Education is built into the foundation of our organization. As one of our core pillars, we are committed to providing our members and partners the up-to-date training required to detect, investigate, and deter fraud. One of the best ways to enhance fraud knowledge and build fraud investigative skills is through NICB’s virtual training platform, the National Insurance Crime Training Academy (or NICTA) which has 60+ on-demand foundational and specialized courses on insurance fraud and vehicle crime. 

Our Learning & Development department has been focused on improving and creating new courses for our members to dive into in the new year. These include:  

Detecting Fraud for Claims Representatives  

Developed as a revision to the “Detecting Fraud for Underwriters” course, this program empowers insurance representatives with the knowledge necessary to address potentially fraudulent claims. Learners will walk away with a deep understanding of insurance fraud, how to identify fraud indicators, proper investigation techniques, how to navigate legal considerations, and how to communicate findings with stakeholders and other professionals.  

Ethical Behaviors for Adjusters and Investigators 

In this brand-new course, insurance adjusters and investigative professionals will develop the tools necessary to effectively address ethical challenges that arise in the field. Via real-world scenarios and interactive discussions, learners will tackle complex issues such as ethical fundamentals and dilemmas, how to apply ethical reasoning, how to enhance one’s professional integrity, and how one might hone their ethical decision-making skills.  

Introduction to Contractor Fraud 

Contractor fraud is one of the most common, and fastest-growing, forms of fraud. Its implications stretch from the average policyholder all the way up to the broader economy. In this revision of our existing course “Contractor, Provider, and Vendor Fraud,” learners will gain a better understanding of contractor fraud, how to identify its indicators, how to assess hidden risks, and how to apply this knowledge in practical settings.  

Introduction to Elderly Financial Exploitation 

Financial exploitation is an unfortunately common tactic utilized to take advantage of older adults across the country. In this course, learners will establish the definition and prevalence of financial exploitation, how to identify both victims and perpetrators, how to recognize common schemes and detect red flags, how to examine the underlying sociological and psychological factors that may contribute to this form of exploitation, and how they might advocate for prevention.  

Introduction to Medical Fraud 

In a revision of “Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding,” this course strives to fight the various forms of medical fraud, which drive costs and compromise care for everyday people. Following the program’s completion, learners will understand and assess the consequences of medical fraud, identify potentially fraudulent schemes, recognize fraud indicators, navigate coding systems, and apply this knowledge to implement prevention.  

Overview of Identity Theft 

Through real-world examples, this new course illustrates the sophisticated techniques scammers use to perpetrate identity theft. By the end of this program, learners will have a solid grasp of identity theft fundamentals, differentiate between the different types, analyze synthetic identity fraud, examine the intersection between identity and insurance fraud, recognize the warning signs, and apply these fundamentals in a professional setting. 

Pet Insurance Basics and Fraud Detection 

Pet insurance is a relatively new concept, but that doesn’t make it exempt from fraud. This course educates learners on the key components of pet insurance, common schemes that arise in the industry, tools and techniques to detect fraud, how to apply investigative strategies, and ways to advocate for fraud awareness.  

Take fraud prevention in your own hands 

NICTA offers dozens of insightful courses on insurance fraud and prevention, but you can do more to stay educated. Join our online, instructor-led Fraudsmart courses and panel discussions to stay up to date with insurance fraud trends and meet all your learning needs. 

Explore NICTA Now 

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.