Where are the UK’s crash scam hotspots – and how you can avoid becoming a victim

Driving around a roundabout in Britain could now put you at risk of more than just a wrong turn. Fraudsters are using busy roads and junctions to stage crashes and cash in on insurance payouts, often by blaming innocent drivers.

According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), there’s been a rise in bold new scams where criminals deliberately cause collisions in order to make fake compensation claims.

What are ‘roundabout traps’?

One of the fastest-growing scams is known as a ‘roundabout trap’.

This happens when fraudsters deliberately move into the wrong lane on a busy roundabout to force a collision. They then try to pin the blame on you and make an insurance claim.

According to the IFB, these scams are especially common in:

• Dagenham, east London

Other crash scams you should watch out for

‘Sideroad setups’

Another common scam involves fraudsters waving you out from a side road or junction, even when you don’t have right of way, before deliberately driving into the side of your vehicle.

These scams have been reported near restaurants and nightlife areas across the West Midlands, particularly in Birmingham.

‘Moped scams’

Moped and motorcycle scams are also still a major problem.

These usually involve a rider deliberately driving into oncoming traffic before accusing you of causing the crash. In some cases, they’ll throw the bike to the ground or fake an injury to make the incident look more serious.

Scammers often work in pairs, with an accomplice pretending to be an independent witness.

These incidents are mainly happening across Greater London and the Home Counties.

The UK’s insurance scam hotspots

The IFB says suspicious insurance claims are especially common in:

• Birmingham
• Islington, north London
• Bradford, West Yorkshire
• Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
• Llanbadrig, Wales
• Muthill, Scotland
• Antrim, Northern Ireland

Identity theft is also rising

The IFB has also warned that identity theft linked to insurance fraud has nearly doubled in the past two years.

Criminals are stealing personal information to make fraudulent insurance claims in other people’s names.

One growing risk is drivers sharing photos of their driving theory test certificates on social media. Fraudsters can use the personal details shown in those posts to commit identity theft.

Fake job adverts are another concern. Scammers are posting bogus delivery driver jobs online to trick people into handing over driving licence and insurance details during the ‘application process’.

How you can protect yourself

Here are some simple ways you can stay safe and avoid becoming a victim:

• Stay alert to your surroundings - watch out for mopeds or motorcycles lingering near junctions, especially if they appear to be hiding behind parked cars or waiting at the side of the road.
• Know the warning signs - scammers may deliberately drive into you and fake injuries to make the crash appear genuine.
• Don’t share unnecessary personal information - after an accident, you only need to provide your name, address and vehicle registration number. If someone pressures you to hand over your driving licence or insurance documents, treat it as a red flag.
• Trust your instincts - if something about the situation feels suspicious, it probably is. Fraudsters may also try to inflate claims for repairs, injuries or hire cars.
• Gather evidence - take photos of the scene, get witness details and save any dashcam footage if you have it. The more evidence you collect, the better protected you’ll be if a false claim is made against you.
• Report it immediately - tell your insurer and the police about the incident as soon as possible. You can also report suspected fraud anonymously through the IFB’s CheatLine service.