As part of its ongoing mission to combat insurance crime, the Équité Association has unveiled a new initiative, “Scams Leave Lasting Scars,” spotlighting the profound human impact of insurance fraud.
By sharing stories rooted in real-life cases, the non-profit organization aims to raise awareness among Canadians about the dangers of fraud, equipping them with knowledge to identify warning signs and take action to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
The campaign emphasizes that beyond financial damage, insurance scams also erode Canadians’ sense of security. Through a series of educational articles, Équité hopes to foster a proactive approach to preventing insurance crime.
One of the stories involved an elderly woman who suffered serious injuries in a car accident and sought treatment at a clinic, only to be taken advantage of through fraudulent billing practices. The clinic claimed a staggering $40,000 for treatments that were either not provided or exaggerated in cost – an example of how unscrupulous actors leave victims without proper care while unjustly profiting from their vulnerabilities.
Betty Ng, director of investigative services, Ontario at Équité, noted: “Équité’s awareness campaign shows how devastating fraud can be for victims and their families. Criminals often prey on the most vulnerable in our society, inflicting significant physical, financial, and emotional harm.”
She highlighted cases where families have faced heartbreaking consequences due to fraud, including one where a landlord set fire to a rental property to collect insurance money, leaving tenants homeless.
“Fraud always has a victim,” Ng added. "Insurers are doing more than ever to protect their customers. We believe that raising consumer awareness is an important step in keeping Canadians and our communities safe.”
The “Scams Leave Lasting Scars” campaign builds on Équité’s broader efforts, including its work combating auto theft, by expanding the focus to other forms of insurance crime. By highlighting the human toll fraudulent activities take, the campaign aims to inspire the public to stay vigilant and take action.
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