The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has identified the new UK locations being targeted by crash-for-cash gangs, in a move seen by Allianz as significant in the fight against insurance fraud.
According to the IFB, the top 10 new areas in the past 12 months in terms of frequency are: Frome, Somerset; Worksop, Nottinghamshire; Cirencester, Gloucestershire; Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire; Nottingham, Nottinghamshire; Shrewsbury, Shropshire; Warrington, Cheshire; Ashby, Leicestershire; Leicester, Leicestershire; and Derby, Derbyshire.
“‘Crash for cash’ fraudsters are known to evolve their tactics,” said IFB director Ben Fletcher, “and the latest evidence shows that they’ve started spreading out from prominent crime hotspots to less-suspecting towns and cities in the hope that they can avoid detection.
“This change in tactic brings home the fact that no matter where people may live, everyone should be on their guard to these reckless car crash scams. To help us stop cases from rising and bring these fraudsters to justice, we urge drivers to look out for signs of ‘crash for cash’ scams and to report any evidence of it to us straight away.”
The bureau is currently investigating more than 170 collisions in relation to this development. According to IFB analysis, a motor insurance claim in the UK is linked to the crash-for-cash scam every four minutes.
“The whiplash reforms have contained some of the costs associated with fraudulent claims, but unfortunately crash-for-cash gangs aren’t fully deterred and still try to scam honest motorists and their insurers,” commented Allianz Commercial counter-fraud head James Burge. “The best way drivers can protect themselves against staged collisions is to keep themselves informed about those dangerous tactics.
“That is why this work by the IFB is so important and helpful. It maps out the new locations targeted by gangs so drivers can be aware of the heightened risk in these areas. The IFB also shares practical tips about how to avoid, spot, and react to crash for cash. If anything seems not quite right, drivers should not hesitate to mention it when they notify the accident to their insurer or broker.”
Usual signs, said the IFB, include unfazed drivers or passengers who appear to exaggerate injuries, as well as handing over pre-written insurance information.
“If their vehicle has a dashcam, it can help foil scams,” added Burge. “As insurers, we will continue to actively pursue fraudsters so drivers can stay safe on the road.”
