Have you ever been involved in a road traffic collision – or narrowly missed one – that seemed somewhat suspicious? There were 119,850 road casualties of all severities reported in the year ending June 2021, and the vast majority will have been entirely accidental. But a small portion of collisions are intentional due to criminal drivers trying their hands at car insurance scams.
So-called ‘crash for cash’ scams involve networks of individuals staging collisions with innocent road users, allowing them to make false insurance claims. Analysis by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) suggests over 170,000 claims made between October 2019 and December 2020 could be linked to crash for cash networks.
Below, discover the areas worst hit by these scammers, and read practical tips for protecting yourself behind the wheel.
UK scam hotspots revealed
So where should you keep your wits about you? While it’s difficult to pinpoint exact locations and times to avoid on UK roads, scam activities have been found to be more prevalent in some locations than others.
The IFB’s report revealed Birmingham to be the UK’s worst hotspot for crash for cash scams, particularly the B25, B34 and B8 postcode areas. Other cities highlighted include Bradford, London, Luton and Manchester.
How to protect yourself against a crash for cash scam
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to avoid being targeted by a crash for cash scam. But there are common signs to look out for, as well as things you can do after the event to prevent false insurance claims.
Stay alert on the road
Staying alert is important for drivers at all times, with or without scammers on the road. But paying close attention to what’s going on around you will naturally reduce your risk of getting in an accident or being baited into one by known tactics like sudden braking.
Know tell-tale signs
As well as erratic driving, the way a driver acts after a collision could reveal their intentions. They might seem unfazed for example, as if they were expecting it, or quick to exaggerate injuries. Some may have insurance details ready to go as if they had memorised them.
Record any incidents
Dashcam or CCTV footage will offer the most concrete proof in these situations, but witness statements and your own written records are valuable too. The latter may be trickier to source if the collision is serious, however.
Report suspicious activity
Think you’ve been targeted by a scammer? Your best bet is to report the incident confidentially to the IFB on 0800 422 0421. You could also enlist a legal professional who can protect you against insurance fraud, which might be especially beneficial if your business’ reputation is at stake.
Have you noticed any suspicious driving on your journeys?
