Cheshire tops areas newly targeted by 'Crash for Cash' scams
The Insurance Fraud Bureau is warning motorists to be aware of the signs
Parts of Cheshire and areas immediately surrounding Staffordshire are at the top of the list of places targeted by 'Crash for Cash' gangs.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau's been looking at the towns and cities where drivers most need to be vigilant to the scam - where collisions are caused to scam money out of insurers.
The IFB says gangs are increasingly spreading out from their typical crime hotspots to more unsuspecting areas.
There's evidence to suggest they're even targeting rural villages. The IFB has previously reporter the village of Beckington - just 3 miles from Frome - has also been targeted.
The IFB is formally investigating over 170 collisions specifically linked to this emerging activity. However, it is believed these figures only scratch the surface and there are concerns that if local drivers don’t know to look out for signs of the scam and report it, cases could rise fast.
Ben Fletcher, Director at the IFB, said:
“’Crash for Cash’ fraudsters are known to evolve their tactics and the latest evidence shows that they’ve started spreading out from prominent crime hotspots to less suspecting towns and cities in the hope that they can avoid detection.
“This change in tactic brings home the fact that no matter where people may live, everyone should be on their guard to these reckless car crash scams. To help us stop cases from rising and bring these fraudsters to justice, we urge drivers to look out for signs of ‘Crash for Cash’ scams and to report any evidence of it to us straight away.”
Know the signs of a 'Crash for Cash'
• The driver or their passengers appear to be unphased after the collision.
• The driver or their passengers appear to exaggerate injuries.
• Pre-written insurance information is handed over.
‘Crash for Cash’ scams that involve innocent drivers are typically carried out by fraudsters who slam on their brake at busy junctions and roundabouts so the driver behind cannot stop in time. Sometimes this is done with an accomplice in a second vehicle driving erratically in front, so they can divert the victim’s suspicions by saying the driver in front (who has since fled the scene) caused the accident.
They are also known to encourage other drivers to pull out of side roads or wait until they creep forward for a better view, only to crash into the side of them.