NICB Applauds Former Massachusetts Governor, State Legislature For Passing And Signing Bill H.5356

DES PLAINES, IL, JANUARY 6, 2023 — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the nation’s premier non-profit organization dedicated to identifying, preventing and deterring insurance fraud and crime, applauds former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts state legislature for passing and signing Bill H.5356. The Bill establishes penalties for the unauthorized sale of metals and catalytic converters and was declared an emergency law necessary for immediate preservation of public convenience.

“We have seen a dramatic, 1,215% increase of catalytic converter theft nationwide since the pandemic began. Vehicle crime and catalytic converter theft is plaguing our country and more needs to be done,” said NICB President and CEO David Glawe. “NICB thanks former Governor Baker, the Massachusetts state legislature, and many of our great partners and stakeholders for their work in passing this bill.”

Bill H.5356 seeks to curb catalytic converter thefts by limiting secondary sales without proof of ownership, and by imposing additional recordkeeping requirements. 

For more information on catalytic converter theft or to find a catalytic converter etching event in your area, visit NICB’s website, www.NICB.org.

Should your catalytic converter be stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately.

Media Contact

If you have a question, want further information on the NICB, or to discuss insurance fraud or vehicle crime, please contact:

Chris Stroisch
Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications
cstroisch@nicb.org

Nicholas Zeitlinger
Public Affairs Specialist
nzeitlinger@nicb.org

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Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.