Motorists are being urged by a fraud-fighting physique to not be pressured by “crash for money” scammers into handing over pointless particulars following an accident, similar to photographs of their insurance coverage certificates and driving licence.
The Insurance coverage Fraud Bureau (IFB) warned that handing over such info may result in id theft.
Within the newest twist on the crash for money rip-off, moped scammers are persuading victims, who could also be distressed or confused, to indicate a duplicate of their insurance coverage certificates or driving licence, which is then photographed on the roadside.
The main points could also be utilized in a spread of monetary crimes, together with taking out fraudulent insurance coverage insurance policies.
The IFB stated since final summer time, it has found greater than 1,100 fraudulent motor insurance coverage insurance policies have been taken out by moped scammers utilizing stolen particulars of crash for money victims.
It stated crash for money moped scams have been on the rise in recent times and are widespread throughout London, with latest rising studies in south-east England together with in Chelmsford, Essex, and in Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans in Hertfordshire.
Ladies driving alone or with their youngsters are sometimes focused, and there have additionally been latest studies of aged individuals being focused.
In a single case, the IFB stated a sufferer of a moped rip-off who was pressured into exhibiting their particulars had greater than 40 insurance coverage insurance policies taken out utilizing their stolen info, which was found after they began receiving letters within the publish.
In different cases, the scammers are additionally utilizing stolen particulars to hijack victims’ present insurance coverage insurance policies and implicate them with fraudulent insurance coverage claims.
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John Davies, intelligence and investigations supervisor on the IFB, stated: “This newest pattern exhibits simply how relentless moped scammers are, as not solely are they placing harmless highway customers in danger and accusing them of inflicting collisions, they’re now stealing their particulars to commit monetary crime and it’s having a horrendous affect on victims.
“It’s vital to recollect, in case you’ve had an accident and the opposite driver needs a photograph of your insurance coverage certificates or driving licence, that’s a purple flag – you could share your title, deal with and automobile registration quantity. Don’t be pressured into handing over something pointless.
“We’re working carefully with insurers and the police to cease this fraudulent exercise. Anybody who believes they’ve proof of a crash for money or thinks their particulars have been stolen for an insurance coverage rip-off, ought to report it to CheatLine.”
Detective Inspector Marek Coghill, of the Metropolis of London Police’s Insurance coverage Fraud Enforcement Division (IFED), stated: “These crashes usually happen at low velocity, notably junctions, incurring minor or no affect, and little harm to both automobile.
“The worth of the insurance coverage claims is usually inflated, for repairs, storage, and alternative autos, which makes this profitable felony exercise engaging for fraudsters.
“It will be significant that the general public stay alert to one of these fraud, and we encourage communities to share data of this offending.
“If you happen to witness or are concerned in a collision and suspect it’s crash for money fraud, collect as a lot info as doable. This may very well be the make and mannequin of the moped, its quantity plate, livery, or the clothes that the motive force is carrying. These particulars may very well be invaluable in disproving a fraudulent declare.”
Listed below are some ideas from the IFB on be careful for the rip-off:
– Look out for anybody on a moped or bike who’s lingering unnecessarily or attempting to cover out of sight, on the finish or sides of roads or behind parked autos.
– Moped scammers usually drive head-on into their sufferer, could throw their moped down and even drop to the ground to pretend an harm, earlier than taking photographs of the incident. They could even have an confederate showing to behave as a witness.
– If somebody is focused, they need to gather as a lot details about the incident as doable, together with particulars of the opposite highway person, any witnesses, pictures and recordings, similar to dashcam footage.
– Don’t alternate pointless particulars. After an accident, drivers are required to alternate their title, deal with and automobile registration. Don’t share pointless info with the opposite driver – similar to copies of insurance coverage certificates and driving licences.
– Report it. Victims ought to inform their insurer and make contact with the police. Proof may be reported to IFB’s confidential CheatLine service on-line or by cellphone.
