Many motorists are unaware that criminals could target them in a staged accident, claims a new poll.
A survey from Royal & SunAlliance found that 41 per cent of British drivers admit they have never heard of the phenomenon, where a criminal deliberately causes a car accident in order to make fraudulent claims from the victim's car insurance provider.
In addition, around 50 per cent of motorists confessed they would not know how to proceed if they suspected they had been involved in a deliberate road traffic accident.
"There are usually some tell-tale signs that you have been involved in a fraudulent collision," advised John Beadle, UK counter-fraud manager at the car insurance firm and an ex-policeman.
"Motorists should pay extra attention to people braking suddenly in front of them for no apparent reason or otherwise driving erratically."
The car insurance provider also recommended that motorists falling prey to such fraudsters should ensure they can give a good description of the driver and call the police if someone is injured.
Last month, the Association of British Insurers revealed that the activities of criminal gangs committing motor insurance fraud were costing policyholders some £200 million per year.




