Tom Stevens met Charles Mark Hall, a 50-year-old Smithfield insurance agent accused of embezzling about $2.6 million from clients, at a church service more than a decade ago.

Hall had just moved to Smithfield, Stevens said.

Stevens introduced him to people in the community. He even wrote a recommendation for Hall to get a job in the brokerage industry, Stevens said.

Through the years, Stevens often stopped by Hall's downtown restaurant.

"We felt that we knew Mark very well and were very comfortable with him. And that's why we did business with Mark," Stevens said. "The extent of it was that I totally trusted the person. I told him to start with, ‘I need someone who can control my money.'"

Stevens never suspected his investments were in danger until September, when he found out that Hall's office had closed and that Hall was arrested and accused of embezzlement.

"I actually was ill. I couldn't eat," said Stevens, who believes he lost about half of the money he invested with Hall. "I've always been an easygoing person, am an easygoing person. I'm afraid this has changed me. I'm afraid I'm going to be more cynical... this is absolutely eating me alive."

He is not alone. The North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division, which is investigating Hall, has more fraud cases than ever before, according to Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Goodwin attributes it to the high unemployment rate.

"Fraud comes in many forms. And one thing which I have learned is that it can happen to anybody," he said.

But Goodwin offers tips on how you can protect yourself:

-Always get a second opinion
-Ask family members to help with background checks
-Check out companies with the Department of Insurance
-Always ask brokers for verification and statements
-Never sign blank forms
-Never pay in cash for premiums
-And keep every record.

"I don't want to discourage people from developing trusting relationships. But you should always, always, when you are talking about your security get as much background information as you can and verify that that trust is warranted," Goodwin said.

The trust that Stevens placed in Hall has been costly.

"At 69 years of age, I've had to go back to work full-time as much as I can. Not a whole lot of jobs for 69-year-old men," Stevens said.

He will not be at peace until Hall is convicted and sent to prison, Stevens said.

Hall is in the Johnston County jail under $600,000 bond. More charges may be pending against him.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To visit the website of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, click here.

To reach the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division, call 919-807-6840.

To reach the North Carolina Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division, call 1-800-546-5664.

Senior citizens with questions about fraud can also call the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program at 1-800-443-9354