Insurance fraud, staged car accidents on the rise in Tampa (videos)
On August 25, 2011, ABC Action News reported on staged car accidents and stated that this form of insurance fraud is costing insurance companies thousands of dollars; however, that cost is past to citizens during insurance rate hikes. In ABC’s report, they indicated that staged car accidents are on the rise in Tampa’s Hillsborough County. According to a report last year by TampaBay.com , Tampa is the second city nationwide leading in staged auto accidents and is the foremost city throughout of Florida. Miami and Orlando follow behind Tampa in leading the state in this type of insurance fraud.
On April 7. 2011, CFO Jeff Atwater held a press conference in Tampa that was hosted by the Tampa Police Department and Allstate to illustrate this type of insurance Fraud. CFO Atwater released a statement regarding Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud during the event. “Today’s staged accident demo was a great interpretation of the very real PIP fraud scams that happen on Florida’s streets every day, putting all motorists in danger and scamming Floridians out of their hard earned money.
“While these types of scams continue so will the increases in insurance premiums for every honest Floridian with a car in the driveway. I am going after these criminals, and we will put them in handcuffs and bring them to justice,” he stated after meeting with two people who were rewarded by the Division of Insurance Fraud after providing tips that led to arrests and convictions in two insurance fraud schemes.
Continuing, CFO Atwater said, “I was honored to meet with two recipients of our Anti-Fraud Reward Program who stepped up and provided tips to my Division of Insurance Fraud that led to the arrest and conviction of eight criminals and the closure of three accident clinics in the Tampa area. Their brave actions help every Floridian who pays more than they should for insurance premiums.”
Those with information regarding insurance fraud or staged car accidents are asked to call 1-800-378-0455. Those who provide tips that lead to the arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud scheme is eligible for a reward up to $25,000.
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