Fraud Awareness
Stay safe from fraud
Insurance fraud is on the rise in Ireland. It is estimated to cost over €200 million each year*. Here's some useful advice and information to help you stay safe from fraud.
Find out what to look out for, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you think fraud is taking place.
* Source: Insurance Ireland
What is Insurance Fraud?
Insurance fraud is when someone sells false insurance policies or makes false or exaggerated insurance claims. This drives up the cost of insurance for everyone else. Knowing what to look out for can help you stay safe.
Here are some tips for dealing with insurance fraud
How to protect yourself when buying an insurance policy
Your insurance policy should give you peace of mind that you’re protecting what matters most. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout for professional scammers, known as ghost brokers.
What are ghost brokers?
Ghost brokers sell false insurance policies, often at a much lower cost. Sometimes they create fake websites and forge policy documents to trick customers into believing they’re buying a genuine policy.
In reality, customers who are tricked in this way can be left uninsured, and liable to pay for the cost of any claim.
Ghost brokers are not qualified, regulated, or authorised to sell insurance. You can find out whether a company is genuine, by checking they are listed on the Central Bank of Ireland's Register.
How to report insurance fraud
If you think you’ve experienced insurance fraud, been tricked by a ghost broker, or suspect fraud is taking place, we’re here to help. You can speak to us in confidence.How to protect yourself when making a claim
We want to protect you from false or exaggerated third party claims against your policy, which is a type of insurance fraud that is on the rise.
If you’re involved in an accident, don’t worry, we’re here to help. Stay calm and follow these simple steps:
Take photos of the damaged vehicles and surrounding area
Get the contact details of those involved as well as any witnesses
Get the car insurance details of the third party involved
How to keep your personal information safe
You can help to keep your accounts and finances safe and secure by being aware of the most common types of scams.
Phishing
What is phishing?
Phishing is the name for scam emails, text messages or phone calls that attempt to trick you into giving away your personal or financial information.
Be alert to suspicious calls
Scammers can trick you into giving away personal information by calling and pretending to be from your bank or insurer. The call can even appear to be from a genuine number.
If you receive a phone call you’re not sure about:
- End the call
- Look up a different number on their company website
- Call them back on that number
Scam Texts
Be on the lookout for scam text messages
Scam text messages are happening more and more. They often create a sense of urgency to encourage you to act quickly, and they usually contain links.
Before clicking a link, ask yourself:
- Do you know the sender?
- Are you expecting the message?
- Does it seem genuine?
Fake Emails
Be aware of fake emails
Scammers can create fake emails using branded logos and imagery that make them look genuine. Always be cautious of unexpected emails and never click on links if you think the email might be fake.
Trust your instincts
We often contact our customers by phone, text message and email. If you have any doubts about who is contacting you, get in touch with us directly to make sure.
Always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.