America's moral invertebrates took a giant leap backward for humankind. Say welcome to the newest members of the Insurance Fraud Hall of Shame. They were freshly voted into office by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. The Hall of Shamers are the year's worst convicted insurance fraudsters — the no-class of 2018, the insurance world's rank and vile. Their ethical GPS lost its battery power in overheated grabs to amp up their magic money-printing insurance machines. Firefighters died trying to save burning buildings. The Shamers also carpet-bombed insurers with fake whiplash injuries… flooded houses… ran drug flophouses… and poisoned a disabled toddler. The Hall of Shamers play a useful role in hardening public opinion against this $80 billion a year crime. Research shows that people recall stories in far more detail than data and help consumers pay closer attention to insurance fraud. People remember the out-sized scamageddons — and share them on social media. Consumers view insurance fraud as a pathogen that raises premiums and harms honest Americans everywhere. Related:  Fraud of the month: Skydiving trip leads to attempted-murder

Hall of Shame candidates

Scroll through the slideshow above to read about this year's entrants for the 2018 Hall of Shame. Dennis Jay ([email protected]) is the executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.