Hill Dickinson and Europcar disrupt staged accident
Hill Dickinson’s Counter Fraud Group and Europcar, the car hire services company, have successfully disrupted the activities of a staged accident fraudster.
Following a court case centred on a staged collision between a family’s vehicle and a car hired from Europcar, Hill Dickinson’s fraud arm was able to identify suspicious activity carried out by Mark Richardson, the director of a claims management company called Richardsons.
Seven members of the family involved in the supposed accident submitted personal injury claims through Richardsons. The involvement of a hire car, along with inconsistencies in witness statements; incorrect details entered on the Claims Notification Forms; the high number of passengers; and the involvement of Richardson, all combined to raise Hill Dickinson’s suspicions. Investigating the claim, the firm identified links between the lead claimant and Richardson, who had submitted claims together for three previous traffic accidents.