The insurer's data indicates that crash for cash has increased a staggering 60 times between January -
Crash for cash scammers cause an accident so that they can blame the innocent driver. In this case, the crime involves an induced accident - involving one vehicle and one motorbike or scooter driven by a criminal - deliberately creating a crash involving unsuspecting motorists.
The fraud involves motorbikes and scooters attempting to purposefully get 'hit' to make an insurance claim. For example, targeting drivers as they park, riding past just as the driver opens the car door so that it hits the motorbike to make it appear as if it's the drivers' fault.
Londoners bear the brunt of the problem, with over half of incidents taking place in
Top 15 crash for cash
1.Central London
2.Birmingham
3.Manchester
4.Bristol
5.Bradford
6.Glasgow
7.Sutton
8.Enfield
9.Leeds
10.Slough
11.Rochdale
12.Coventry
13.Croydon
14. Ross-on-Wye
15.Shrewsbury
'Organised criminal gangs have evolved their tactics, so as well as targeting large cities which they've previously done, we're also seeing them move around and use small clusters across wider areas to try and avoid detection.
matt crabtree
This includes small towns and the outskirts of main cities such as
'It's shocking that we've seen a 60-fold increase in the number of motorbike 'crash for cash' claims in 2023. Innocent victims are being physically and emotionally affected by this dangerous crime, and this is also putting young children, drivers, and passers-by at significant risk. We're committed to working with the police to bring these criminals to justice.'
'Crash for cash scams take place across all corners of the
Potential hazards: Be vigilant for unusual driving behaviour and exercise caution at junctions and when pulling from parked positions or side roads. Stay calm and maintain distance if you notice suspicious behaviour or pre-existing vehicle damage.
Look for damage and take photos: Document the scene and any vehicle damage. We often see claims inflated when presented so having pictures at the time of the collision can be vital.
Take the details: Obtain the rider's name, address, phone number, vehicle registration and if possible write down a description of the bike and its rider.
Collect evidence: Seek witnesses and look around for any available CCTV, dashcam or doorbell cameras that may have footage at the accident.
Contact your insurer: Inform your insurer and report any suspicions to the
(C) 2024 Electronic News Publishing, source