IFB reveals new ‘crash for cash’ hotspots across UK

The list (see box), based on frequency over the past 12 months, is headed by Frome in Somerset with Worksop in Nottinghamshire and Cirencester in Gloucestershire making up the top three.

It has followed on from a ranking in 2021 when IFB analysis showed Birmingham was the most prevalent area in the UK for the scam, followed by postcodes in Bradford, Manchester, London and Luton.

The IFB reported that over the past year it has found evidence that gangs using addresses in these well-established ‘crash for cash’ hotspots were increasingly travelling out to unsuspecting areas to cause collisions with locals less familiar to the scam.

According to the IFB, it is formally investigating over 170 collisions specifically linked to this new activity.

However, it warned that the figures were likely only scratching the surface and expressed concerns that if local drivers do not know to look out for signs of the scam and report it, cases could rise fast.

Crash for cash scams are prevalent in the UK the IFB stated citing that every four minutes a motor insurance claim is linked to one.

These range from paper-based fabrications, or vehicles being damaged behind closed doors, through to the most dangerous where collisions are being caused by fraudsters with innocent road users, the bureau detailed.

Ben Fletcher, director at the IFB, said: “Crash for cash fraudsters are known to evolve their tactics and the latest evidence shows that they’ve started spreading out from prominent crime hotspots to less suspecting towns and cities in the hope that they can avoid detection.

“This change in tactic brings home the fact that no matter where people may live, everyone should be on their guard to these reckless car crash scams. To help us stop cases from rising and bring these fraudsters to justice, we urge drivers to look out for signs of ‘crash for cash’ scams and to report any evidence of it to us straight away.”

In addition to the IFB’s identification of new areas at risk for ‘crash for cash’ scams, the police noted that the cost-of-living crisis could make these scams more prevalent.

Reckless

Tom Hill, Detective Chief Inspector at City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, said: “As we have seen in the past, a rise in cost of living and resulting financial hardships can often drive people to commit fraud. Unfortunately, this means that the public need to be even more alert than usual to fraudsters, like ‘crash for cash’ drivers.

“These criminals are reckless and show zero regard for the safety of other road users. It is important to learn the tell-tale signs that often precede an induced collision, as these can protect you from falling victim to this type of fraud. Of course these fraudsters can’t always be avoided, so if you do think you have been targeted, make sure to report your suspicions.”

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