Insurance Corporation of B.C. has its cyber eye on fraudsters

Surrey- Insurance Corporation of B.C. has its cyber eye on motorists hoping to chisel a few extra dollars out of an auto claim. A release from the ICBC says 2,350 Internet investigations began in 2015, front-line staff are receiving more training to detect fraud, and special fraud-flagging software is being introduced.

Investigators have already snared a woman who claimed she was too injured to work, yet participated in a roller derby, and a man who completed a demanding obstacle race was caught after saying he'd been seriously hurt in a car crash. In several cases, investigators simply checked Facebook or other social media profiles of suspected fraudsters, revealing claimants enjoying strenuous sports despite alleging severe injuries.

ICBC says fraud costs the public auto insurer up to $600 million annually, raising premium prices for all drivers, and it urges everyone to report suspicious activities linked to vehicle accidents or claims.