Warnings come from three agencies with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) all raising concerns. Last year the IFB was sent more than 300 reports of click-to-call advertisers posing as insurance firms to scam car crash victims.
“We’re determined to work alongside the insurance industry, regulators and Trading Standards partners to stop these firms and the impact of their activities on innocent policyholders.”
Experts say the tactic leaves many road traffic victims distressed in the immediate aftermath of suffering a car crash.
Andy Fyfe at the City of London IFED said fraudsters had tried to target motorists when they were at their most susceptible.
However, he urged motorists to remain calm and focused after an accident and when using a search engine to find details.
How to avoid being conned by click to call ads
Experts say road users can avoid being caught io in click-to-call insurance scams by taking extra caution when searching for details.
They urged motorists to always check the website address and URL to entire it is a legitimate website before using any contact details.
Road users should keep a copy of their car insurance policy documentation on them at all times as this will include an up-to-date and real phone number to call.
Mark Allen, manager of Fraud and Financial Crime at the ABI, warned insurance customers would pay for the cost of false claims through their overall costs in a major blow to motorists.
He said: “People need to be on their guard against rogue claims firms, who encourage inflated, frivolous or false claims, and are always looking for new scams.
“These end up being paid for by all honest insurance customers through their premiums.
“People should only use the contact details of the insurer from their policy documents, confirm who they are talking to, and not assume that all online sites are genuine.”
If you think you have been scammed by a click to call scam
Experts have urged any motorist who believes they have been affected by a click to call scam to report it to officials immediately.
Suspicions of insurance fraud can be reported to the IFB through its confidential Cheatline service.
Andy Fyfe said: “If you have suspicions that you’ve mistakenly contacted a fraudulent company, report it to IFB’s Cheatline or to Action Fraud.
“This information can then be passed onto IFED to follow up any viable lines of enquiry, and if appropriate, launch a criminal investigation.”