Record number of insurance scam reports

Public reports of insurance fraud to the Insurance Fraud Bureau reached 6060 in 2013, a 32% increase on the previous high.

The record amount of whistle blowing activity meant that there was a call reporting fraudulent behaviour to either the IFB's Cheatline, or Crimestoppers, every 90 minutes.

This surge in reports suggested that more people than ever were taking a stand against insurance fraud.

Ben Fletcher, director of the IFB said that it was fantastic to see such an increase in fraud reports.

"It shows that the public shares our contempt for insurance fraud," he said. "Far from being a victimless crime, insurance fraud hits honest policyholders in the pocket and, in some cases, puts innocent road users in harm’s way.

"The Cheatline is a free anonymous service that helps us identify fraudsters and bring them to justice. Seeing the public make use of it is extremely gratifying.”

In 2013, the IFB supported 145 police arrests against insurance fraudsters across the country.

Mark Dugdale