Crash for Cash
30 September 2020
Beware Crash for Cash Scams
One insurance scam takes place every minute in the UK. One of the most common is ‘Crash for Cash’. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) estimates that ‘Crash for Cash’ scams have a real impact on society, putting the lives of innocent people at risk and costing honest policy holders almost £350 million each year through increased premiums.
What is a crash for cash scam?
In the majority of accidents where one car hits another from the rear, it’s the car behind that is deemed the guilty party. Criminals take advantage of this by giving the driver behind no option but to hit the car in front. They cause the accident in a number of ways, including pulling away then jamming on their brakes; working in conjunction with another driver in front of them who brakes suddenly then speeds away; or disabling their brake lights to cause the car behind to run into them.
What can you do?
1. Never tailgate - allow plenty of space between you and the car ahead.
2. Look beyond the car in front. If you see erratic driving up ahead, slow down and be ready to brake hard - remember the intended victim might be you.
3. Carry a pen and paper for taking notes or use the camera on your mobile phone for taking photos.
4. Consider fitting forward-facing video cameras and announce their presence with stickers on the back of your vehicle.
5. Concentrate on your driving – Don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving!
