Fraud Schemes Impacting Veterans

Insurance fraud schemes impact everyone, and that includes Veterans. 

Military veterans and retirees reported $66 million in fraud losses in 2020, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data. Fraud is the second-most costly white-collar crime in America. These crimes add up to billions of dollars in fraudulent insurance claims every year. Even if you haven’t suffered a direct loss, you are still a victim of insurance fraud. Not only does fraud cause higher insurance premiums, but it also raises taxes and inflates prices for consumer goods. 

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) urges Veterans to safeguard themselves against fraud. To prevent becoming a victim, know the signs of the following schemes. 

Top Insurance Fraud Schemes to Watch Out For

Top Insurance Fraud Schemes to Watch Out For: 

Staged Auto Accidents 

Sometimes auto accidents aren’t really accidents at all. They are staged, deliberate crashes designed to make it look like it’s your fault, when you’re actually the victim.

Roofing Fraud 

While insurers pay out roughly a billion dollars a year to cover losses, sometimes those payments end up in the pockets of unscrupulous contractors.

Towing Scams 

The NICB is warning and educating consumers about unethical and illegal practices among some rogue towing and storage operators and repair shops around the nation.

Auto Glass Fraud 

There have been questionable practices by the vehicle glass repair and replacement industry where they advertise that a windshield replacement is “free.” Unfortunately, what they are asking you to be part of may be insurance fraud. These too-good-to-be-true offers drive up your auto insurance rates and raise the overall costs of auto glass repair services.

Workers Compensation Slip & Falls 

Here's how a typical slip and fall scenario plays out: a small shopkeeper is alone at work when a customer arrives and roams the aisles looking at merchandise. Moments later, the customer starts calling out for help. The shopkeeper responds to find the person on the floor, moaning and groaning from an injury they claim was caused when they slipped on something on the floor.

To report fraud, call the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 800.TEL.NICB or fill out our online form

Here are more resources for Veterans to learn about and combat fraud: 

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.