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Peel
Regional
Police -
www.peelpolice.on.ca
Peel
- Just because
there is
an insurance
card in
your wallet
does not
mean that
you have
automobile
insurance.
Police and
the auto
insurance
industry
are concerned
with the
increased
number of
vehicles
in the community
with fraudulent
insurance
cards.
Insurance
cards are
the pink
documents
required
by law that
contain
insurance
particulars
for vehicles,
including
policy numbers
and policy
expiry dates.
Fraudulent
insurance
cards appear
valid, but
have false
policy numbers
and or expiry
dates. Drivers
using fraudulent
cards are
driving
with no
insurance
and can
face fines
up to $5,000.00
and/or criminal
charges.
In addition,
if involved
in motor
vehicle
collisions,
these drivers
may find
themselves
civilly
liable for
costs related
to the collision
and any
injuries.
In
concert
with the
Insurance
Bureau of
Canada,
the Registered
Insurance
Brokers
of Ontario
and the
Insurance
Brokers
Association
of Ontario,
a recent
week long
series of
spot-checks
was conducted
by the Peel
Regional
Police,
focusing
on this
issue. Over
500 vehicles
were investigated
at various
locations
throughout
the cities
of Brampton
and Mississauga.
The checks
resulted
in 71 charges
against
drivers,
of which
32 were
insurance
related
offences
and three
fraudulent
insurance
cards were
discovered.
Police
note that
drivers
may not
be aware
that they
have a fraudulent
insurance
card. Individuals
with poor
driving
records
and or drivers
with no
Canadian
driving
history
may find
themselves
facing high
costs for
car insurance.
They may
be approached
by culprits
trafficking
in fraudulent
insurance
cards and
offered
car insurance
at significantly
reduced
rates. The
victims
purchase
what they
believe
is valid
insurance,
but which
is in fact
fraudulent.
Police
are urging
drivers
to ensure
the insurance
they have
for their
vehicle
is valid
and up-to-date.
If they
have any
concerns
they should
contact
their respective
insurance
companies
to verify
they are
documented
as clients.
Members
of the public
with information
on individuals
creating
fraudulent
insurance
documents
are urged
to contact
Police either
directly
or through
Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-TIPS.
They may
also contact
the Insurance
Crime Tip
Line at
1-877-IBC-TIPS.
In
partnership
with the
Insurance
Bureau of
Canada and
the Registered
Insurance
Brokers
of Ontario,
police are
actively
addressing
complaints
of this
nature.
Originator:
Detective
Sergeant
John Betts
Fraud Bureau
(905) 453-2121
ext. 3330
Contact:
Constable
Craig Platt
Media Relations
(905) 453-2121
ext. 4027
September
13, 2006
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