New figures show so-called ‘crash for cash’ scams have cost more than 25 million pounds over the last five years, as ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi reports
Dashcam manufacturer Nextbase has exclusively released new footage to ITV News, highlighting a fraud known as “cash for crash”.
It’s where criminals deliberately stage collisions to claim on your insurance.
New figures show the cost of these scams now runs into the millions – as villains run into innocent motorists.
Kam Patel was targeted by these modern-day highway robbers. He told ITV News: “It was shocking, all I can say is it’s a shock to the system to know you’re a victim of a total staged set up.
“I guessed that there was something a little bit strange about the whole thing.
“I’ve got this feeling that have I hurt somebody, have I injured somebody and on the same point, I thought have I been set up?”
New data given to ITV News by police and insurance sources shows staged crashes amounted to more than £25 million pounds over five years.
Fraud officers are urging drivers to be aware of single parked vans near junctions, as ‘crash for cash’ moped riders often use them as hiding spots.
They also warn to be wary of moped riders loitering or acting suspiciously in residential areas. Often, they will hang around in small roads off busy high streets before staging a collision.
Detective Inspector Christopher O’Donovan said: “The victim has gone into them, their insurance will be paying out granted, but yes they’ll be losing their no claims bonus.
“They themselves might be injured as a result of that, which is the big thing for me, impact upon the victim as I call it, the member of the public.
“Because they’re going to be shaken, (have) trauma, potential whiplash themselves, and who’s going to pay for that?”
By making new footage public, police hope it’s their turn to slam the brakes on and bring more of these suspected four-wheeled frauds to a halt.
What should you look out for in a “cash for crash” scam?
- ‘Crash for cash’ fraudsters overreact and fake injuries after crashes.
- Moped riders will often keep their helmets on after a collision to avoid identification.
How can you protect yourself?
- Be cautious when on the road and give all drivers adequate distance in front and behind.
- Fitting a dashcam to the front and rear of your vehicle can help deter offenders. If you become victim to, or witness, a ‘crash for cash’ incident, dashcam footage may help prove that an insurance claim is fraudulent. It could also help the police prosecute offenders.
- If you see a suspicious crash, offer to be a witness to the driver. Gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate, or the clothing the moped rider is wearing.
- ‘Crash for cash’ moped riders may try to pressure you into presenting your driving licence and insurance certificate after a collision, which they will photograph on their mobile phone. In some instances, the information on these documents has been used to fraudulently take out insurance policies. Protect your ID from being compromised by only providing the other driver with the insurance information that is legally required.
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