New Orleans/Hammond Agent Suspended

September 9, 2003

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner J. Robert Wooley announced the Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators have served Heather Lynn Blair Barras, 26, of 560 Sunset Dr., Slidell, with a cease and desist order and summary suspension of her insurance license, prohibiting her from conducting any kind of insurance business in the state of Louisiana.

Most of Barras’ business dealings were conducted in New Orleans and, more recently, in Hammond.

Evidence presented to the DOI shows that Barras (originally licensed as Heather Lynn Blair) has allegedly collected premium payments from customers and issued the receipts to those customers, but altered the payment in the system to reflect a lesser amount. Documents show that the customers paid the correct amount, but Barras did not remit the full payment to the insurance company.

Customers began to complain of receiving cancellation notices on their insurance policies for nonpayment even though their receipts showed they had paid their premiums in full. Violations listed in the cease and desist order include using fraudulent and dishonest practices and failing to remit premium dollars paid to her by policyholders. It also states that Barras is currently participating in a pretrial diversion program pursuant to a felony charge.

Barras has held a Property and Casualty insurance license since February of 2001. Another address listed in department records for her is 1485 Meadow Lawn Court, Slidell.

Consumers who have purchased insurance or conducted other insurance business with Heather Lynn Barras, or Blair, should contact their insurance company or companies right away to learn the status of their insurance.

If they have trouble contacting a company or find they have paid out money that the insurance company or companies did not receive, they should call the DOI at (800) 259-5300 or 342-4956, as soon as possible. Upon request, communication with the DOI Fraud Unit may be kept confidential.

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