Crash for cash scams cost over 25 million pounds in five years
New figures show that crash for cash scams have cost over 25 million pounds in five years; police release dashcam footage to highlight the issue.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New figures show that so-called crash for cash scams have cost more than £25 million over the last five years. Police have released dashcam footage to highlight the tactics used by fraudsters who deliberately stage collisions to force innocent victims' insurers to pay out.
The footage, obtained by ITV News, shows a suspected scammer slamming on his brakes in front of an innocent driver, apparently hoping for a collision. In another clip, a van takes over on the inside and then brakes, appearing to attempt a crash. A further example shows a moped rider sitting behind a white van while an innocent motorist reverses off a driveway. After the smash, the rider is seen immediately on their mobile phone, taking photographs but not removing their helmet, apparently to conceal their identity. The fraud investigator explained that the rider may then pursue an insurance claim or pressure the victim at the scene to hand over cash.
Another piece of footage shows a suspected fraudster turning his lights off in an apparent attempt to stage a crash. By making the footage public, police hope to deter these crimes and bring more offenders to a halt.
The impact on victims is significant. While some see it as a victimless crime because insurers pay out, victims lose their no-claims bonus and may themselves be injured. The trauma and potential whiplash are serious consequences for members of the public who are caught up in these staged accidents.
New data indicate that these staged crashes have amounted to more than £25 million over five years, underscoring the scale of the problem.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Crash for cash scams have cost over £25 million in five years, with criminals staging collisions and police releasing dashcam footage. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the release of dashcam footage by police to illustrate the tactics of crash for cash fraudsters. It emphasises the danger to innocent victims, including trauma and loss of no-claims bonus, and highlights the financial cost of £25 million over five years. The tone is investigative and victim-focused, with detailed descriptions of the footage and expert commentary from a fraud investigator.
- “New figures show so-called crash and cash scams have cost more than £25 million over the last five years.”
- “The dangerous here is often clear.”
- “By making new footage public, police hope it's their turn to slam the brakes on, bringing more of these suspected four-wheeled frauds to a halt.”
Broadcast Timeline
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