Watch out for the ‘crash for cash’ scam – how to protect yourself

Drivers are being urged to be on their guard about a ‘crash for cash’ scam.

What does the scam involve?

A moped or motorcycle driver will deliberately crash into your car and blame you for the accident.

The crash is often low-speed, like at a junction and there’s minimal or no damage to either vehicle.

After the crash, the scammer will try to get you to show your driving licence or insurance details, claiming they need it to exchange information. They’ll take a photo of these details right at the scene.

These details can then be used to steal your insurance information and make false claims. In one case, a victim had over 40 insurance policies taken out in their name.

Who’s being targeted?

If you’re a woman driving alone with kids, or if you’re elderly, you’re more likely to be targeted.

Since last summer, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has found over 1,100 fraudulent insurance policies linked to this scam, mostly in London and the South East, including areas like Chelmsford, Essex and parts of Hertfordshire.

How can you protect yourself?

Here’s some tips to help you stay safe:

• Be aware of your surroundings - watch out for a moped or motorcycle hanging around, especially if they’re hiding behind parked cars or waiting at the edge of the road.
• Scammers often make it look like they’ve had an accident by driving head-on into you, throwing their moped down, or even faking an injury. They may have an accomplice pretending to be a witness.
• Don’t share unnecessary information - if you’re in an accident only share your name, address and vehicle registration number. Don’t feel pressured to hand over your driving licence or insurance documents, this is a big red flag.
• Trust your instincts - if the other driver asks to take photos of your documents or if something feels off, trust your instincts. These scammers often inflate insurance claims for things like repairs or rental vehicles.
• Collect evidence - if you're involved in an accident, gather as much information as you can. Take photos, get details of any witnesses and if you have a dashcam, use it. This will help you protect yourself if the scammer tries to make a fraudulent claim.
• Report the incident – report the crash to your insurance company and the police. You can also report the scam to the IFB's CheatLine, a free and confidential service for reporting insurance fraud.

For more tips on avoiding scams and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, head to our outsmart a scammer guide.