What do you notice about the top postcodes, any particular pattern? As a leading Mayor might say, “part and parcel of modern life.” Certainly nobody is allowed to define the problem or suggest solutions, unless you wish to risk jail time. That’s where we are right now.
But the collapse of a high trust society into lawless fraud and endless scams will eventually lead to an existential threat to insurers; once people realise there’s little point in paying ever higher premiums whilst others swerve them with little serious consequences, we enter a dangerous era. Basically the stakes are raised after even a minor bump and people seek redress via other means. Intimidation, violence, arson.
Is that what we want, a return to survival of the strongest, or can the insurance industry recognise the serious problems Britain has and demand politicians enact laws to make benefits sanctions, asset seizures, family exclusion from Motability schemes and deportation orders part of the punishment for no insurance/crash for cash offences? Because that is the only way to stop this, as £400 fines payable over 2 years do not cut it frankly.
Here’s the data from the IFB;
The UK’s top hotspots for motor insurance fraud have been revealed to help protect the public, following an analysis of 3.3 million claims by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).
The findings show Barking & Dagenham is the most prevalent area for fraudulent motor insurance claims in England, followed closely by Birmingham and Central London. Other top hotspots include Cemaes Bay in Wales, Crieff in Scotland and Crumlin in Northern Ireland.
Detected fraudulent claims have increased and the IFB is receiving more public reports of insurance fraud than ever before. As this happens, a new range of scam tactics are gaining traction – from dangerous crash for cash roundabout stunts, to new drivers’ details being stolen on social media to facilitate bogus claims.
In response, the IFB is drawing attention to areas at increased risk of motor insurance fraud and the warning signs. The aim is to help protect communities and empower people to report to CheatLine, which is a free and confidential insurance fraud reporting tool for the public.
Motor insurance fraud hotspots
England – top 30
1. RM9 (Barking & Dagenham)
2. B10 (Birmingham)
3. EC1 (Central London)
4. B24 (Birmingham)
5. BD7 (Bradford)
6. B8 (Birmingham)
7. BD8 (Bradford)
8. BD9 (Bradford)
9. BD3 (Bradford)
10. B18 (Birmingham)
11. B9 (Birmingham)
12. EN6 (Potters Bar)
13. B11 (Birmingham)
14. B21 (Birmingham)
15. BB9 (Nelson)
16. M12 (Manchester)
17. TS1 (Middlesbrough)
18. B19 (Birmingham)
19. OL8 (Oldham)
20. N18 (Enfield)
21. M8 (Manchester)
22. BD2 (Bradford)
23. B34 (Birmingham)
24. HX1 (Halifax)
25. B28 (Birmingham)
26. B33 (Birmingham)
27. B25 (Birmingham)
28. OL1 (Oldham)
29. B7 (Birmingham)
30. OL4 (Oldham)
Northern Ireland – top 10
1. BT29 (Crumlin)
2. BT33 (Newcastle)
3. BT41 (Antrim)
4. BT17 (Dunmurry)
5. BT93 (Enniskillen)
6. BT11 (Belfast)
7. BT12 (Belfast)
8. BT66 (Lurgan)
9. BT14 (Belfast)
10. BT15 (Belfast)
Scotland – top 10
1. PH5 (Crieff)
2. G23 (Glasgow)
3. IV55 (Isle of Skye)
4. PH24 (Boat Of Garten)
5. G42 (Glasgow)
6. IV26 (Ullapool)
7. G51 (Glasgow)
8. G40 (Glasgow)
9. G15 (Glasgow)
10. G14 (Glasgow)
Wales – top 10
1. LL67 (Cemaes Bay)
2. SY18 (Llanidloes)
3. LL35 (Aberdovey)
4. CF10 (Cardiff)
5. CF24 (Cardiff)
6. LD5 (Llanwrtyd Wells)
7. CF11 (Cardiff)
8. SY24 (Borth)
9. NP19 (Newport)
10. LL36 (Tywyn)
Jon Radford, Head of Intelligence, Investigations & Data Services at the IFB, said:
“Insurance fraudsters are relentless, and their tactics are evolving fast. By revealing the UK’s top motor insurance fraud hotspots, our aim is to help protect those who are at greater risk. Insurance scams can put people in danger and drive up costs for honest consumers, at a time when many are already under financial pressure. We’re working closely with the police and insurers to stop this activity, and we urge the public to stay alert and report suspected insurance fraud to our confidential CheatLine.”
Cases of detected insurance fraud are on the rise. In 2024, the ABI reported a 12% increase in the number of fraudulent claims compared with the previous 12 months – worth over £1 billion. In addition, last year the IFB received more than 9,400 reports of insurance fraud from the public through its CheatLine service, which is the highest annual figure on record.
The increase in detected fraud comes as the Government has unveiled its new Fraud Strategy for 2026–29, which sets out a range of measures to crackdown on devastating scams, and boost public awareness and victim support initiatives.
Behind the figures are real people who suffer significantly. Insurance fraud can cause major distress and financial harm, from damaged credit scores to time spent trying to put things right. Many victims only realise they’ve been scammed weeks or months later, once the damage has already been done.
Mark Allen, Head of Fraud and Financial Crime at the ABI, said:
“The IFB’s latest analysis of the UK’s motor insurance fraud hotspots is a timely reminder that fraudsters are becoming bolder and more sophisticated, and that the industry is responding with even greater resolve. Working closely with the IFB, insurers are stepping up intelligence‑sharing and deploying new tools to identify and stop scams before they cause harm. We urge the public to stay vigilant and report anything suspicious, because every report helps us protect communities and hold criminals to account.”
What are the latest trends?
Crash for Cash scams
Deliberate crashes caused by fraudsters who want to claim compensation by blaming innocent drivers are a key issue impacting the motor insurance fraud hotspots. While sudden braking to cause an innocent driver behind to collide remains one of the most common ploys, the IFB is also seeing a spike in new trends with brazen tactics, including:
- Roundabout traps in Dagenham: Scammers deliberately moving into the wrong lane at busy roundabouts to force a collision – reported in England’s top hotspot.
- Sideroad setups in Birmingham: Fraudsters encouraging drivers to pull out of side roads without right of way and then driving into the side of them, with reports near restaurants and nightlife areas in the West Mids.
- Moped scams in London: Moped and motorbike scammers driving into oncoming traffic, often with an accomplice to accuse victims of fault. Incidents are largely across London and the Home Counties but can be in other parts of the UK.
Other tell-tale signs of a crash for cash can include vehicles with disabled brake lights or pre-existing damage, along with passengers exaggerating injuries and being provided pre-written insurance details after a collision.
Bogus claims made worse by ID theft
Adding to this issue, the IFB has seen cases of identity theft nearly double in the past two years, with criminals stealing personal information to carry out a high volume of fraudulent claims in hotspot areas. The public is urged to watch out for these growing cybercrime tactics:
- New driver celebration cons: Young people having their details stolen after sharing their driving theory test certificate on social media – sometimes posted by parents.
- Fake job listings: Bogus delivery driver roles being listed to steal driving licence and insurance details from jobseekers who think their application has been successful.
- Insurance scam victims: Those who are unfortunate enough to be targeted in a crash for cash and exchange details, or who have purchased fake car insurance through a Ghost Broker, may later find their information has been compromised.
How can I protect myself?
Insurance fraud takes many forms beyond crash for cash scams – from victims of collisions being exploited by costly third parties, to vulnerable people being pressured into making dishonest claims.
Advice on a range of common insurance scams is available on the IFB’s website to help protect anyone who could be at risk: UK’s top motor insurance fraud hotspots |
Information about an insurance scam can be reported the IFB’s free and confidential CheatLine, powered by Crimestoppers, on 0800 422 0421 or at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline
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