Fraudulent Claims On The Increase

An increasing number of people are faking injury in an attempt to claim compensation, a survey of GPs has revealed.

The research found that the most frequently used bogus claim was that of car passengers saying they had suffered whiplash after being involved in a traffic accident.

Nearly all (98%) of those polled said they had seen a patient they believed was exaggerating an injury in a bid to get compensation and 65% of GPs reported a rise in the number of "fakers" over the last decade, according to the survey by LV= car insurance. Some 24% of doctors said they had seen an increased amount of fraudulent claims since the start of the recession.

LV= car insurance head of claims Martin Milliner said: "We would urge any GP who has doubts about someone reporting an injury to investigate further to ensure that it is genuine.

"People may see making up an injury as a result of a car accident as a harmless crime and a quick way to make money, but if they are allowed to get away with it all car insurance premiums would be pushed up which is unfair on the honest motorist."