‘Unscrupulous’ ads could leave road traffic accident victims thousands worse off
‘Unscrupulous’ ads could leave road traffic accident victims thousands worse off
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People involved in motor collisions are being warned they could be left thousands of pounds worse off by unwittingly signing up to the services of a firm whose online adverts closely resemble those of their insurer. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) said that people trying to call their insurance firm to make a claim can end up inadvertently contacting a third party firm while believing they are dealing with their insurer – only to rack up thousands of pounds in fees which otherwise could have been covered by their policy.
The IFB said unscrupulous firms may pay for ads which are similar in style to those created by insurers. They may appear in mobile phone searches, encouraging people to call through quickly. During calls, the firm may use general terminology to sound like the insurer or to imply that they are affiliated with them, the IFB said.
Having just experienced a road traffic collision, their victims are often in a shaken state, and when they call who they think is their insurer for support they end up trapping themselves in legal agreements that may cost them everything. The caller is asked for their personal details to receive “support services” such as a replacement vehicle, and potentially make a claim.
While this could potentially happen to any insurance customer, those who have been in a road traffic collision are particularly at risk as they may be shaken after an accident and not thinking as clearly as usual, the IFB said. People may also believe their motor insurance covers everything, but as they do not realise they are not talking to their insurer, they can sign up to several services and it may be weeks until they discover the charges, it warned.
