Police warn drivers over rise in ‘crash for cash’ fraud

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (Ifed) has issued a warning to motorists over the growing threat of organised “crash for cash” fraud, after investigating more than £25.3m of suspected cases during the last five years.

According to Ifed, around 75% of the investigations involved staged or deliberately induced collisions designed to generate fraudulent insurance claims.

The warning has been issued jointly with dashcam provider Nextbase, with both organisations highlighting increasingly sophisticated tactics being used by fraudsters.

Ifed said criminal groups are moving beyond traditional staged collisions and are now using more aggressive methods that can expose drivers to financial loss, identity theft and inflated insurance claims.

Among the tactics highlighted are moped riders targeting lone drivers, deliberately causing incidents and then pressuring motorists into making payments. Criminals have also been known to photograph driving licences at the roadside, creating opportunities for identity fraud.

The organisations warned that dishonest repair networks can also be involved, inflating repair bills to increase the value of claims.

Growing concern

Detective Chief Inspector Nik Jethwa, head at Ifed, said: “Crash for cash fraud is a growing problem and criminals are becoming more aggressive in how they carry out these schemes.

“We want the public to be more aware than ever of the tactics being used, which put innocent road users at risk.”

He urged motorists to remain vigilant at junctions and roundabouts and report suspicious activity to insurers and authorities.

Jethwa added: “There is also a real risk of identity theft, so consider the potential consequences if you are involved in a collision.”

As part of the campaign, Ifed and Nextbase are encouraging motorists to install dashcams to provide evidence in the event of a dispute.

Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said: “Crash for cash scams rely on uncertainty. If there is no independent evidence, drivers will find it difficult to prove their innocence for an incident that happened in a matter of seconds.”

He added that recorded footage can provide an impartial record of events and support investigations by insurers and police.