The Alberta Insurance Councils Appeal Board has reduced the suspension of insurance agent and Level 3 designated representative Camille Scott from one year to six months, and cut her fine from $5,000 to $2,500. Scott had fabricated a $5,000 invoice to support a client's insurance claim, according to the October 25, 2026, decision.

Scott fabricated a $5,000 invoice for trailer expenses claimed by a farmer from the Crossfield area. She had been unable to negotiate a more favourable settlement for the client, who had been insured through her for 15 years and with the agency for 25 years.

After the client allegedly pressed her to seek a better settlement and claimed $5,000 in trailer-related expenses, Scott created the invoice without supporting documentation. The insurer never paid the amount.

Scott used her parents' address as the vendor's address on the invoice. When the claims adjuster questioned the absence of GST, she said the vendor was not registered for the tax.

The client withdrew the invoice when the adjuster explained that an insured cannot profit from a claim. He also allegedly denied knowing that Scott had fabricated the document.

A complaint was subsequently filed with the Alberta Insurance Council, which investigated the matter. Scott’s agency also lost a longstanding business relationship with an insurer.

Agent challenges severity of sanctions

As previously reported on the Insurance Portal, the Council imposed sanctions on Camille Scott on May 22, 2026. She appealed those sanctions without contesting the findings of misconduct.

The Council defended its original sanctions, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the fraud, the trust insurers must place in intermediaries and Scott's heightened responsibilities as a designated representative. It also rejected her claims of intimidation and argued that a substantial penalty was needed to deter similar misconduct.

Scott acknowledged her misconduct but argued that the sanctions were disproportionate. She cited her clean disciplinary record, remorse, fraud-prevention training and the fact that neither she nor the client received any financial benefit from the fabricated invoice. She also said the client had intimidated her and asked the panel to eliminate or shorten her suspension.

Deliberate fraud, but rehabilitation deemed possible

The appeal panel upheld the finding that Scott deliberately committed fraud and attempted to conceal it. It also considered her responsibilities as a designated representative an aggravating factor and rejected her claim of intimidation.

However, the panel identified several mitigating factors. Scott had no prior disciplinary record, cooperated with the investigation and admitted her wrongdoing before the complaint was filed. She also voluntarily completed fraud-prevention courses offered by Wawanesa and SGI before the Council issued its decision. The panel additionally considered the agency's loss of an insurer relationship.

The panel found Scott's misconduct less serious in its consequences than cases warranting the maximum fine. While the mitigating factors justified reducing the sanctions and giving her an opportunity to rehabilitate her career, the panel maintained that a suspension and financial penalty were necessary to deter misconduct and preserve public confidence in the insurance system.

Scott's six-month suspension will begin 30 days after she receives the decision. Interest will accrue on the $2,500 fine if it remains unpaid after that period. The panel also declined to reimburse her appeal costs, citing her deliberate misconduct.