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Fraud and Scams guides
Ghost broking and fake car insurance policiesHow ghost brokers sell fake or doomed car insurance through social media and word of mouth, who they target and how to confirm a policy is real.Auto insurance fraud explainedWhat counts as auto insurance fraud, the difference between hard and soft fraud, who commits it, what it costs drivers and how it is investigated and reported.Premium fraud: garaging address and driver misrepresentationWhy giving a cheaper ZIP code, leaving drivers off or misstating car use is premium fraud, how insurers catch it and what it can cost you at claim time.Staged car accident scamsThe main kinds of staged and caused crashes, the warning signs at the scene, what the law says and how to protect yourself and your claim if you are targeted.The swoop-and-squat scamHow the swoop-and-squat staged crash works step by step, who scammers target, how to drive defensively against it and how to protect your claim afterward.Predatory towing and body shop scamsHow bandit tow trucks and dishonest repair shops exploit drivers after a crash, the warning signs, state protections and how to protect your car and your claim.Auto warranty robocalls vs real insuranceWhy "your car's warranty is expiring" calls are almost always illegal, how a service contract differs from a warranty and insurance, and how to report them.Car insurance phishing, text and call scamsEmails, texts and calls that impersonate car insurers and warranty firms: how to spot them and what to do if you clicked, paid or shared personal details.How to spot a fake car insurance companyWarning signs of a fake or unlicensed auto insurer, and how to verify a company and agent through your state insurance department and the NAIC before you pay.Fake insurance cards and how they are caughtWhere counterfeit and worthless insurance cards come from, how state databases and claims expose them, the penalties, and what to do if you are hit.Scams that target drivers after an accidentThe scams that follow a crash, from tow trucks you did not call to runners, clinic referrals, fake adjusters and buried deductibles, and how to avoid each one.How insurers investigate fraudWhat happens when a claim is flagged: special investigations units, red flags, claims databases, recorded statements, exams under oath and your rights.The National Insurance Crime Bureau explainedWhat the NICB is, who funds it, what its agents and data do, what it does not do, and how drivers can use its free VINCheck and fraud tip line.Penalties for auto insurance fraudAuto insurance fraud is usually a felony. How states grade it by dollar amount, what staged crashes and padded claims can cost, and the civil fallout.State insurance fraud bureaus: who investigates and how to reach themMost states run an insurance fraud bureau that investigates and refers cases for prosecution. How they work, examples from six states, and how to reach yours.Dash cams and car insuranceHow dash cam video settles fault and exposes staged crashes, why it rarely cuts your premium, where you can mount one, and how to save footage.How to report insurance fraudWho to call about suspected auto insurance fraud (your insurer, your state, NICB or the FTC), what details to gather, and whether you can stay anonymous.How to protect yourself from insurance scamsA practical checklist for avoiding car insurance scams when you buy a policy, pay for it, get calls about it, have a crash, or buy a used car.Run a VIN check before you buy a used carHow to check a used car's VIN with NICB VINCheck, an NMVTIS report and NHTSA recalls, what each shows, and the signs of a cloned or flood car.