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The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority has made Richard C. Fritz '60 one of two initial recipients of its Fraud Fighter Award. Fritz is an investigator in Erie Insurance's Investigative Services Section, covering the Allentown-Bethlehem market. The nomination letter submitted by the Lehigh County Insurance Fraud Task Force, a part of the District Attorney's Office, highlighted the meticulous investigation and preparation of Fritz' cases “that permitted us to follow-up and successfully prosecute each case.” The nomination called Fritz “an invaluable asset in our efforts.”
Born and raised in Phillipsburg, N.J., Fritz became a fraud investigator for Erie Insurance in 1989 after 29 years as an FBI agent. He primarily investigated crimes such as bank robbery, extortion, and kidnapping. After mandatory retirement, he chose his current job because it requires some of the skills used in FBI work and keeps him in the Lehigh Valley. “People want to get some money from the insurance company to pay for their Christmas bills,” Fritz says. “They feel that if they've been paying for 20 years and haven't had a claim, it's time to get their premiums back.”
Although Fritz' degree in business administration didn't apply to his line of work, he believes Lafayette prepared him well for his career. “I had a tremendous time at Lafayette and wouldn't change those four years for anything,” says Fritz, who has used the Spanish he learned in college for both jobs. “I enjoyed my instructors and the camaraderie. It was a tremendously instructive four years.”
Richard C. Fritz '60 (left) receives award from Roy Miller, director of Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority.