- Have YOU been involved in a ‘cash-for-cash’ moped scam? E-mail: shannon.mcguigan@mailonline.co.uk
Scams involving moped riders deliberately crashing into other vehicles for bogus insurance claims have soared four-fold in the past year, new figures show.
As of August, 4,000 people had been targeted by ‘crash for cash’ schemes in the past three years, analysis of fraudulent claims received by 21 insurers showed.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) have been investigating this growing trend,
And now insurance firm Direct Line’s intelligence manager Sarah Cashford says there has been a ‘exponentially massive rise’ in this type of scam due to new hourly pay-as-you go policies being ushered in for delivery drivers.
Scammers on mopeds deliberately crashing into other vehicles to make bogus insurance claims has soared by four-fold, figures show (Pictured: A victim involved in a bogus collision)
A moped driver in a ‘cash for crash’ scandal on a road in London
Gangs have been working out it is easier to claim compensation as a moped riders since changes to whiplash rules have hampered car drivers from claiming compensation, she explained.
Ms Cashford told the Telegraph: ‘When you come off a moped, different things could happen to your body. It is obviously going to increase your personal injury reward.’
Some cases have seen fraudsters try to pressure victims into handing over cash instead of making a claim, with the more vulnerable more likely to be targeted.
The insurance company revealed that the increase in ‘crash-for-cash’ moped scams has caused drivers to divert from their usual routes to avoid being targeted.
Ms Cashford branded roundabouts ‘hotspots’ for this specific type of motoring insurance con.
One motorist, Helen, has spoken of falling victim to a moped scam in south London after being signalled by a rider to come forward before they allegedly careered into the wheel of her car
Some recent cases have seen victims pressurised into handing over cash instead of drivers making claims, meaning those who are seemingly more vulnerable have been targeted
Direct Line’s head of commercial and property fraud Stuart Stevens added: ‘These moped riders sometimes look for quiet areas, so there are no witnesses. They’ll look for people that are in their own car.’
According to a survey conducting by the insurance company, motorists in London, the North-West and East Midlands are most frightened about being caught up in ‘crash-for-cash’ schemes.
The experts advised anyone who unfortunately falls victim to take suspects’ details there and them by calling them or look up their registration details.
Despite dash cams also being a good tool, they are also sometimes narrow in their view of the road, therefore Direct Line recommended having a phone to hand so drivers can capture imagery at the scene.
Mr Stevens added: ‘The good thing about a phone is that – obviously don’t use it when your driving – but you can use it to show the damage or lack of damage to the vehicle.’
