If you suspect someone of committing automobile insurance fraud, report them to the ACDAO at (510) 383-8600 or DA-InsuranceFraud@acgov.com.
Automobile Insurance Fraud
The California State Legislature has determined that organized automobile fraud activity operating in major urban centers of the state represents a significant portion of all individual fraud-related automobile insurance cases. This fraudulent activity endangers the safety of the public and drives higher insurance premiums in certain urban and low-income areas of the state. The investigation of organized criminal activity that occurs in urban areas and which often involves the staging of collisions and the filing of fraudulent accident or damage claims is critical.
Staged collisions are often complex organized rings that range from “paper” collisions to actually targeting vehicles on streets and freeways to cause an accident for the purposes of collecting settlements from insurance carriers. Staged collisions are orchestrated by organized rings of criminals and involve the collision participants, stagers, cappers, attorneys, doctors, chiropractors, body shops, and others.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) identifies, investigates, and prosecutes automobile insurance fraud. If you suspect someone of committing automobile insurance fraud, report them to the ACDAO at (510) 383-8600 or DA-InsuranceFraud@acgov.com.
INSURANCE FRAUD IS A FELONY PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND/OR FINES!
Common Types of Automobile Insurance Fraud
APPLICANT FRAUD
Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or representation, deliberately fails to disclose material facts, or knowingly withholds information to obtain benefits.
CLAIMANT FRAUD
Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or representation, deliberately fails to disclose material facts, or knowingly withholds information to obtain benefits.
ECONOMIC CAR THEFT
Automobile theft perpetrated for financial gain, including, but not limited to, theft of a motor vehicle for financial gain, reporting that a motor vehicle has been stolen for the purpose of filing a false insurance claim, switching vehicle identification numbers to obtain title to a stolen motor vehicle, and engaging in any act prohibited by Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 10801) of Division 4 of the Vehicle Code (Chop Shops).
FRAUD RING
Also known as Organized Rings, these involve collisions orchestrated by organized criminal activity involving attorneys, doctors, other medical professionals, office administrators, and/or cappers.
INSIDER FRAUD
Fraud committed by employees or agents of an insurance company.
STAGED ACCIDENT
An automobile accident purposefully orchestrated for the purpose of collecting insurance payments made as a result of claims filed against the insured motorist’s insurer. Staged accidents may be committed by multiple suspects or fraud rings.