Opportunistic insurance fraud cases, such as exaggerated claims and false application information, saw a 61% year-on-year increase in the March 2022 to April 2023 period, according to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
IFED, which has launched a national awareness campaign, said 51% of the cases it received in the period involved motor insurance fraud; 29%, property insurance fraud. Examples of opportunistic insurance fraud include faking an injury following a genuine road traffic accident.
“We understand that the rising cost of living has presented challenges for many people across the country – but turning to crime to make some quick cash is never the answer,” IFED’s Detective Chief Inspector Tom Hill said in an emailed release. “Committing insurance fraud can leave you with a criminal record, and have long and serious consequences such as criminal prosecution and a prison sentence.
“At the very least, it can make it harder to get insurance in the future. Offenders can be placed on the Insurance Fraud Register, run by the Insurance Fraud Bureau, which can prevent them from accessing essential insurance services for several years.”
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