In November 2008, Ronald Moore saw a SEPTA bus involved in an accident, so he ran down the street, jumped on the bus and then stretched out across several seats before filing a claim stating that he was injured in the minor collision.In March 2009, Milton Homes was driving an SUV on Cottman Avenue in the Northeast when he spun out and struck a SEPTA bus, but he claimed the bus crossed into oncoming traffic and struck his vehicle.Instead of getting rich, both got caught as a result of surveillance cameras on SEPTA buses. They received probation and $1,000 fines after pleading guilty to insurance fraud. Those were among the cases highlighted yesterday as SEPTA and District Attorney Seth Williams announced an anti-fraud campaign to reduce bogus claims.“A small segment of our riders believe in the urban legend that being involved on a SEPTA vehicle that’s involved in an accident is akin to winning the lottery. They dream of a SEPTA payday based on frivolous injury claims,” said SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey.Prosecutors said insurance fraud is a felony, which usually comes with probation and a fine.Injury payouts at $40 millionSince 2009, SEPTA’s total payouts for injury claims has increased more than 10 percent to $40 million. The agency has referred 40 cases of possible fraud to Williams’ office in the last year.One-third of buses are now equipped with cameras, and SEPTA expects them to be installed on the rest of the fleet by 2013.
