You’re driving through town. It’s just another weekday. But as you approach a junction, a moped suddenly swerves in front of your car and brakes hard. You can’t stop in time – it’s a collision. But what if we told you it wasn’t an accident?
It’s scary. Frustrating. And you’re left asking: why me? Was it just bad luck, or were you targeted?
As it turns out, scammers don’t just rely on chance. These fraudsters often target specific drivers, in certain areas, at specific times of day. They’re betting that in the chaos of a crash, you’ll be too flustered to realise what’s happening. And that’s exactly when they strike.
A recent, alarming warning
Crash for Cash scams involve fraudsters deliberately causing accidents to claim compensation. Often, they target innocent drivers and exaggerate injuries or fake claims to insurance providers – racking up thousands of pounds in fraudulent payouts.
The latest warning from the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) highlights a growing twist: moped riders impersonating delivery drivers are now at the centre of a sharp rise in these scams. In some cases, the scammers are even stealing people’s identities to take out bogus insurance policies and make fake injury claims.
According to the IFB, since last summer they’ve discovered over 1,100 fraudulent motor insurance policies taken out by moped scammers using stolen details from crash for cash victims. In this latest evolution, moped scammers are pressuring their targets – who are distressed or confused after the collision – into showing their insurance certificate or driving license. The scammer then takes a photo and can use your personal details for a host of fraudulent schemes.
It’s an issue that links to a £75 million insurance fraud scheme that has seen 4,700 innocent road users targeted by moped scammers in collisions across London, and more recently, the Home Counties.
Who do crash for cash scammers target?
These moped crash for cash scams have been on the rise since 2021. Common across London, there’s been a recent rise in reports in Chelmsford (Essex), Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans (Hertfordshire).
Generally speaking, crash for cash hotspots in the UK include:
And while anyone can be affected, victims are more often women driving alone or with children. In several incidents, elderly people were the targets. Claims data also revealed that 40% of crash for cash incidents occurred during the school run and rush hour, between 3-7pm. Lunchtime was also busy time for scammers, with 27% of collisions happening between 11am-2pm.
How to spot a crash for cash scammer?
If all this has you worried about being a target, how can you best protect yourself? Knowing the warning signs can help keep you safe. Here’s some top tips.
While you’re driving:
- Turn on your dashcam: video evidence can be invaluable in disputing false claims. If you don’t have one, it’s well worth investing.
- Stay alert: especially at roundabouts or junctions, when you’re likely to be focusing on multiple things at once.
- Know the signs: watch for suspicious driving behaviour, such as sudden braking, speeding up and slowing down for no reason, or getting too close.
- Maintain your space: always keep a safe distance between you and vehicles in front of you, so you can brake in time.
How a ‘fake crash’ might happen:
- Usually the car ahead will brake suddenly, so you crash into them. It’s the easiest accident to blame you for, as you went into the back of their vehicle.
- Some scammers even disable their brake lights, so there’s no warning when they stop.
- A moped scammer may drive head-on into your vehicle, throw their moped down, or even drop to the floor to fake an injury.
- Watch for if the other driver is far too calm for someone just involved in a collision. Their injuries may be completely at odds with the force of the incident.
- The scammer may have their insurance details prepared suspiciously quickly, before there’s a chance to process what’s happened.
After the incident:
- Don’t be rushed: at the scene, pause to take in what’s happened. Scammers prey on their victims being flustered.
- Note down details: of the vehicle, its registration, make and model, and the damage.
- Take photos: of the incident, the damage, and even the number of passengers, if you feel safe to do so.
- Don’t give any money: avoid demands to pay cash right there and then. The other driver may claim it’s better than going via your insurer, but it won’t be.
- If you or anyone else has been injured, you should call the police.
- Report suspicious incidents: to your insurers, and the IFB’s Cheatline on 0800 422 0421.
- Regularly check your credit report: watch for any signs of identity theft.
Stay sharp – and stay covered
Crash for Cash scams aren’t just a nuisance – they can leave you out of pocket, battling fraudulent claims, and vulnerable to identity theft. But with a bit of knowledge and the right protection in place, you can avoid becoming another statistic. If something about a crash doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. And if in doubt, report it.
At Howden, we’re here to help make sure you’ve got the cover – and the confidence – to handle whatever the road throws at you. From comprehensive car insurance to expert claims support, we’ve got your back. Search Howden Insurance to find your local branch.
Sources: Restless, ABI, IFB, Allianz, LV
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This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.