IFB says public awareness of ‘crash for cash’ fraud must increase

Car Crash

One in 12 people (8%) would consider taking part in a ‘crash for cash’ scam for financial gain, according to research included with an IFB report published today on the phenomenon.

Based on current UK population figures, this could equate to almost four million adult recruits for criminal gangs organising scams across the UK.

The research by Ipsos MORI also revealed that more than half the population (53%) think it is unlikely a ‘crash for cash’ fraudster would be caught.

But three-quarters of the population (74%) think ‘crash for cash’ is a very big, or fairly big, problem in the UK today, with 84% of UK road users worried about their insurance premiums rising to cover the costs of fraud.

Eight out of 10 motorists (78%) are concerned about sustaining injuries in a deliberately caused crash.

IFB chairman David Neave said: “The findings of this research serve as a reminder to the insurance industry to continue tightening the grip on fraudsters and dispelling the myth that insurance fraud is a victimless crime. ‘Crash for cash’ fraudsters are being caught and jailed every week and the public need to know that the risk far outweighs any potential reward.”

“Awareness about the consequences of committing fraud needs to be increased so that everyone, in particular, those vulnerable groups in our society, turn their back on insurance fraudsters organising ‘crash for cash’ scams.

“‘Crash for cash’ is a menace to society and members of the public should not tolerate the serious financial and safety risks posed by fraudsters.”

Allianz’s head of technical claims Martin Saunders said: “Raising the public’s awareness of this problem is very worthwhile. Motorists involved in low speed incidents where a car brakes suddenly in front of them should be sceptical that what has happened is a genuine accident.

“The people who organise these incidents are a social menace and a danger to the public and must be stopped,” he said.