IBC posts its ‘fraud follies’ for 2012

With insurance fraud in the spotlight, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) recently released its highlights of head-scratching antics by scam artists.

“There’s nothing funny about insurance fraud,” the IBC noted. “But sometimes you can’t help but laugh at some of the outrageous scams and schemes.”

Recognizing March as Fraud Awareness Month, the bureau listed four examples of fraud follies.

• Repo Man: A man reported his car had been stolen and filed a claim with the insurer, but the investigator contacted the finance company. It was repossessed and towed away due to non-payment. Claim denied.

• Oh Deer: A man told an insurance company he hit a deer and badly damaged his car. Upon questioning, he changed his story, saying it might have been a rabbit or groundhog. Or say, for example, a (presumably inanimate) fence or post. Claim denied.

• Up In Smoke: A family’s house was gutted by fire, but a neighbour recalled seeing the wife’s car pull away shortly before the smoke appeared. Two weeks earlier, the wife had checked with her insurance agent’s office to ensure the policy was up to date and paid for. Claim denied.

• The Camera Never Lies: A man claimed he was rear-ended on one of Canada’s busiest highways and filed a claim for the damage. However, the car behind him had a dashboard-mounted camera and recorded the claimant reversing the car and causing the collision. Claim denied.