Protect Yourself from the Crash for Cash Scams

Insurance fraud is on the rise again, with "fictitious" goods apparently stolen in household thefts, inflated car repair bills and reported fake injuries in car incidents being among scams carried out by insurance fraudsters. The main reason behind this is the recession, as people feel the pinch; they have decided they need to pinch a bit from others.

The last listed scam, claiming for fake injuries, is one involving innocent motorists so please read on so you are aware of this fraud scheme. Criminal gangs regularly run this scam were they will drive to busy road junctions, roundabouts or slip roads, and then they will perform unnecessary emergency stops were the car behind will have no chance of missing their car. These fraud schemes are happening up and down the country to innocent members of the public. This is a popular scam from fraudsters which can net them tens of thousands for each claim.

The guilty parties will make multiple claims against the innocent motorist insurance company in order to pick up as many income streams and claim as much money as they can for their scam, so multiple stories are made up, anything feasible is claimed for.

Of course legitimate and honest customers end up paying for these hoax claims. The UK's Insurance Fraud Bureau estimates the cost of this insurance scam adds an average of £44 to the annual cost for each policyholder.

Follow this advice to protect yourself from this insurance scam:

1. If you feel that a driver in front of you is driving dangerously or erratically then change lanes if safe or fall back as much as possible.

2. If you are involved in an accident and doubt it is a legitimate accident then the best thing you can do is to record as much information as possible, you want to get full names, date of birth for the claimants and their addresses. If it is legitimate then they shouldn't object to your request for information.

3. Make a note of the total number of people in the vehicle. Even better if you have proof, so if you have a digital camera or camera phone then take pictures of the driver, passengers and the car. Take pictures from different angles around the car and the surrounding area.

4. If there are witnesses at the scene then take their contact details down if possible.

5. If you are suspicious then inform the insurance company as soon as possible of your concerns about a possible scam.

To find out about the latest scams that affect businesses and citizens attend the next marcus evans scam event.