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quote:The number of questionable claims for fraudulent, staged accidents went up 46 percent from 2007-9, according to a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.The basic idea is a kind of movable feast for the larcenous. It typically involves several vehicles setting up another motorist to take the blame for an accident in which injuries are feigned.Tactics include the charmingly named “Swoop and Squat,” as well as the “Left Turn Drive Down.”The fraudulent-accident scheme is run by organized crime, and there’s a lot of money to be made, said Thomas Lohmann, the New York-area operations director for the crime bureau, a group financed by the insurance industry that investigates fraud. One accident with four “victims” could easily bring $200,000, he said, adding, “If there are attorneys involved, and they are filing bodily injury suits, it could far exceed that.”People who stage the accidents then pretend to be injured, working with a doctor who is part of the scam and certifies the injuries. The accident “is the fuel needed to drive the medical bill,” Mr. Lohmann said.Prime victims of the thieves include a young woman talking on a cellphone, someone who seems preoccupied or an elderly driver. Most often they don’t realize they didn’t cause the crash. The perpetrators “are that good,” Mr. Lohmann said.In 2009, there were 4,802 questionable claims involving staged accidents, according to the crime bureau study. The top three states were Florida (1,446), New York (765) and California (622). The top three cities were New York (618), Tampa (425) and Orlando (188).Mr. Lohmann said he was sure there were many more that were not detected. “I am sure we are missing a lot more than what we are actually getting,” he said.There were about 5.8 million vehicle crashes reported to the police in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Because the payout on each accident is substantial, there is a huge cost to the insurance industry, Mr. Lohmann said.The exact amount, however, isn’t clear, said Roger Morris, a spokesman for the crime bureau
The basic idea is a kind of movable feast for the larcenous. It typically involves several vehicles setting up another motorist to take the blame for an accident in which injuries are feigned.
Tactics include the charmingly named “Swoop and Squat,” as well as the “Left Turn Drive Down.”
The fraudulent-accident scheme is run by organized crime, and there’s a lot of money to be made, said Thomas Lohmann, the New York-area operations director for the crime bureau, a group financed by the insurance industry that investigates fraud. One accident with four “victims” could easily bring $200,000, he said, adding, “If there are attorneys involved, and they are filing bodily injury suits, it could far exceed that.”
People who stage the accidents then pretend to be injured, working with a doctor who is part of the scam and certifies the injuries. The accident “is the fuel needed to drive the medical bill,” Mr. Lohmann said.
Prime victims of the thieves include a young woman talking on a cellphone, someone who seems preoccupied or an elderly driver. Most often they don’t realize they didn’t cause the crash. The perpetrators “are that good,” Mr. Lohmann said.
In 2009, there were 4,802 questionable claims involving staged accidents, according to the crime bureau study. The top three states were Florida (1,446), New York (765) and California (622). The top three cities were New York (618), Tampa (425) and Orlando (188).
Mr. Lohmann said he was sure there were many more that were not detected. “I am sure we are missing a lot more than what we are actually getting,” he said.
There were about 5.8 million vehicle crashes reported to the police in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Because the payout on each accident is substantial, there is a huge cost to the insurance industry, Mr. Lohmann said.
The exact amount, however, isn’t clear, said Roger Morris, a spokesman for the crime bureau
Senior citizens and women driving alone with cellphone in hand are the major targets
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/813091--11-charged-in-staged-collision-on-highway-400?bn=1
11 charged in staged collision on Highway 400. Police grew suspicious when they questioned car occupants and tow truck drivers on scene
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