Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority

What Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority does

The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (IFPA) is an independent Commonwealth agency created by Act 166 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1994 and operating since 1995, headquartered at 6 Kacey Court, Suite 101, Mechanicsburg, PA. Its mandate is to combat insurance fraud through three pillars: (1) funding 13 law enforcement agencies statewide (including district attorney offices, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals, Erie Bureau of Police, and a multi-county northeastern task force) to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud; (2) preventing opportunistic fraud via statewide public awareness campaigns across TV, radio, YouTube, and social media; and (3) advising the Governor and General Assembly on fraud trends.

IFPA is not a commercial technology company — its core "products" are educational campaigns (e.g., "See How They Lie," "Don't Be A Weasel," "Cost of Fraud," "Know Your Tow") and a county-based fraud reporting system at helpstopfraud.org. The organization is funded entirely through annual assessments levied on insurance companies writing policies in Pennsylvania, with no taxpayer dollars. Total annual resources approximate $15.4 million, comprised of approximately $14.4 million disbursed as grants to law enforcement agencies and roughly $1 million invested in public education and prevention. It maintains a small staff of 1–10 employees and is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from major Pennsylvania insurers (State Farm, Erie Insurance, Independence Blue Cross), government agencies, and law enforcement.

In 2021 alone, IFPA grantees received 4,067 complaints, made 393 arrests, prosecuted 364 defendants, and recovered $1,379,502 in restitution and civil penalties. The authority has tracked measurable shifts in public perception since 2009 via a partnership with Franklin & Marshall College, documenting a 58% increase in consumer recognition of fraud's seriousness and a 160% increase in belief that offenders will be caught. The agency has no equity investors, no subsidiaries, no patents, no API, and no software products — it functions as a public-purpose coordinator and grantmaker within Pennsylvania's insurance and law enforcement ecosystem.

Name

Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority

Legal name

Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority

Website

https://helpstopfraud.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority is a Pennsylvania Commonwealth agency, established in 1995, that combats insurance fraud by funding 13 statewide law enforcement units and running public awareness campaigns, financed entirely through assessments on Pennsylvania-domiciled insurance companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Fraud Prevention

NAICS

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (524), Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Compliance, Reporting & Regulatory Administration (ERISA/ACA/No Surprises) (HLAEALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Third-Party Administrator (TPA) & Program Administrator Services (FSAJALAF)

Keywords

• Insurance fraud prevention
• Public fraud education
• Law enforcement grants
• Fraud awareness campaigns
• Anti-fraud advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Mechanicsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Assessment Funding: IFPA is funded by annual assessments levied on all insurance companies that write policies within Pennsylvania. No taxpayer dollars are used to support its efforts. The majority of the budget ($14.4 million annually) funds fraud-fighting units in 13 law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Additional funding (nearly $1 million annually) supports fraud prevention initiatives and public education campaigns.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (IFPA) is an independent Commonwealth agency that combats insurance fraud in Pennsylvania by funding 13 law enforcement and prosecution units statewide (approximately $14.4 million annually) and running statewide public awareness and education campaigns (approximately $1 million annually). It is funded entirely through annual assessments on insurance companies writing policies in Pennsylvania, with no taxpayer dollars used, and it advises the Governor and General Assembly on insurance fraud trends.

Product overview

The Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (IFPA) operates as a government agency rather than a commercial technology product company. Its offerings consist entirely of public awareness and education programs centered around insurance fraud prevention. The core portfolio includes multiple media campaigns ("See How They Lie" and "Know the Risks. Know the Consequences"), youth-focused initiatives ("Don't Be A Weasel"), a predatory tow operator awareness program (Know Your Tow), a county-based fraud reporting system, and consumer research publications. These are informational and educational services, not software products or platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Insurance Fraud Law Enforcement Grant Program Annual grant funding provided to 13 law enforcement and prosecution agencies in Pennsylvania, including district attorneys' offices (Philadelphia, Allegheny, Lehigh, Delaware, Bucks, York counties), the Office of Attorney General Insurance Fraud Section, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals, Erie Bureau of Police, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Task Force, for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud.
• Public Awareness & Education Campaigns Statewide fraud-fighting media campaigns, including the 'Know the Risks. Know the Consequences.' foundation campaign, the 'See How They Lie' prevention campaign (launched October 2015), and the 'Cost of Fraud' TV campaign (launched August 2024), featuring TV, radio, and online video content designed to educate Pennsylvania consumers about insurance fraud definitions, impacts, and felony-level consequences.
• Don't Be A Weasel Youth Campaign A youth-focused fraud prevention campaign delivered through a dedicated YouTube channel ('Don't Be A Weasel') and social media, using animated cartoon content to educate younger drivers and teen audiences about the consequences of auto insurance fraud.
• Know Your Tow Consumer Education Program Educational consumer resource at knowyourtow.org that provides guidance to Pennsylvania drivers on how to identify and avoid illegitimate or predatory tow operators who may exploit motorists after vehicle breakdowns.
• Online Fraud Reporting System Self-serve online directory of county-based insurance fraud units across Pennsylvania, enabling citizens to identify and contact the correct law enforcement agency to report suspected insurance fraud in their locality.
• Annual Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Conference An annual education, networking, and awards conference for insurance fraud investigators, prosecutors, and industry professionals, co-hosted with the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) Delaware Valley and Greater Pittsburgh Chapters, featuring expert presenters, vendor exhibits, and annual Fraud Fighter Awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33% increase in consumers who strongly agree insurance fraud is a serious crime (2009-2011)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) - Delaware Valley and Greater Pittsburgh ChapterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026IFPA partners with IASIU Delaware Valley and Greater Pittsburgh Chapters to host the annual Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Conference. This partnership brings together 320 professionals, 25 expert presenters, and 22 vendors for education and networking. The 15th Annual Conference was held April 16-17, 2026 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA.
• Verisk and Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IFPA cited and referenced the landmark research study 'WHO ME? - Who Commits Insurance Fraud and Why' conducted by Verisk and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. This research informs IFPA's public awareness campaign strategy and educational messaging about insurance fraud's $308 billion annual economic impact and $900 cost per family.
• Bucks County District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015IFPA has funded Bucks County DA's Insurance Fraud Unit since 2015 (first grant). Unit investigates and prosecutes insurance fraud in Bucks County.
• Northeastern Pennsylvania Task Force (Lackawanna County DA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015IFPA funds a task force administered by Lackawanna County DA's Office, investigating and prosecuting fraud in 11 northeastern counties: Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Susquehanna, Sullivan, and Bradford.
• Floyd Institute Center for Opinion Research of Franklin and Marshall CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009IFPA has partnered with Franklin and Marshall College's Floyd Institute since 2009 to conduct consumer research tracking public awareness of insurance fraud. Studies conducted in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2017 have measured campaign effectiveness, showing 58% increase in understanding fraud seriousness and 160% increase in belief offenders will be caught.
• Erie Bureau of PolicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2004IFPA has funded Erie Bureau of Police since 2004 (first grant). Unit investigates insurance fraud in Erie City.
• Delaware County District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2000IFPA has funded Delaware County DA's Insurance Fraud Unit since 2000 (first grant). Unit investigates and prosecutes insurance fraud in Delaware County.
• Allegheny County District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1997IFPA has funded Allegheny County DA's Insurance Fraud Unit since 1997 (first grant). Unit investigates and prosecutes fraud throughout Allegheny County, coordinating with Allegheny County police and Attorney General's western region section.
• Lehigh County District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1996IFPA has funded Lehigh County DA's Insurance Fraud Unit since 1996 (first grant). Unit investigates insurance fraud in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
• Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Insurance Fraud SectioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995IFPA has funded the Insurance Fraud Section in the PA Office of Attorney General since 1995 (first grant). The section maintains offices in Norristown, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, covering primary population centers and investigating multi-county jurisdiction fraud cases.
• Pennsylvania State Police Fire MarshalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995IFPA funds Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals to support arson investigations statewide and investigate possible insurance fraud associated with arson cases.
• Philadelphia District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995IFPA funds Philadelphia DA's Office to focus on insurance fraud in Philadelphia, coordinating with Federal Insurance Fraud Task Force and Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section.
• York County District Attorney's OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995IFPA funds York County DA's Office to investigate insurance fraud in York County.
• Pennsylvania Insurance DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995IFPA extends grants to Pennsylvania Insurance Department to support examinations of insurers' anti-fraud programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Insurance Crime Bureau: National not-for-profit organization that partners with insurers and law enforcement to detect, prevent, and deter insurance fraud — the most direct analog to IFPA at the national level, sharing IFPA's public-private funding model and focus on fraud investigation support.
• Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: National advocacy organization combating insurance fraud through research, public awareness, and policy. IFPA directly cited CAIF's landmark research study ($308B annual fraud impact) to inform its public awareness strategy, making CAIF the closest peer in awareness/research function.
• International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU): International membership association for insurance fraud investigators that co-hosts IFPA's annual fraud conference. Shares IFPA's mission of fraud detection, training, and professional recognition (Investigator of the Year awards).

Others

• Verisk Insurance Solutions: Major insurance analytics and data provider whose research with CAIF on fraud offender behavior informs IFPA's campaigns. Adjacent ecosystem player rather than direct peer, but a key data/insights partner shaping IFPA's prevention strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Insurance Information Institute: National insurance industry communications and education organization that produces research on insurance issues including fraud — broader portfolio than IFPA but overlaps in awareness and public education function.

Regional players

• California Department of Insurance Fraud Division: State-level fraud-fighting branch within California's Department of Insurance responsible for investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud statewide — comparable function to IFPA but operating in California.
• New York State Department of Financial Services Insurance Frauds Bureau: State-level insurance fraud enforcement entity in New York analogous to IFPA's role in Pennsylvania — investigates insurance fraud and supports prosecution across the state, but operating in a different geography.
• Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (Insurance Fraud): Florida's state-level insurance fraud investigation arm under the CFO/Department of Financial Services — leads statewide insurance fraud arrests and prosecutions, functionally comparable to IFPA's 13-unit law enforcement funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PAIFPA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/dontbeabut
• Facebookfacebook.com/PennIFPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-insurance-fraud-prevention-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority