IBC & the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers join forces to fight insurance fraud!

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is teaming up with the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers to provide consumers with another avenue to submit their tips about suspected insurance fraud and vehicle theft.   IBC and Crime Stoppers will work together so that anonymous tips to the organization will be sent to police and to IBC's Investigative Services department as a means of striking a further blow at those who abuse the insurance system at the expense of all policyholders.

This is another step in IBC's efforts to fight insurance fraud in Ontario.   In its last status update, the Ontario government's Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force noted a study conducted by KPMG that estimated insurance fraud in Ontario is upwards of $1.6 billion. 

Rick Dubin, Vice-President of Investigative Services at IBC says, "Auto insurance fraud in Ontario is a huge problem.  We urge people who suspect fraud to report the crime.  When they cheat, we all pay."

He adds, "At IBC, we are committed to fighting fraud on all fronts.  We work with law enforcement, insurance companies and government to investigate the criminals, and to raise awareness of the problem. We are delighted to add Crime Stoppers to the list of partners."

David Forster, President of Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, says, "IBC is at the forefront of the fight against insurance fraud.   We are pleased to work with them."  He added, "Anyone who may have information on fraud should remember that Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity and you don't have to appear in court as a witness.  We also offer a reward for information that solves a crime which has proven to be effective."

Crime Stoppers continues to be an effective tool for citizens to report crime. The long established hotline number 1-800-222-TIPS is well known and universal in all of North America. Crime Stoppers can also take secure and anonymous tips online at www.tipsubmit.com

Dubin goes on to say, "We are hopeful that with Crime Stoppers, we assist in streamlining the crime reporting process and we need to get people to make the call.  In addition to Crime Stoppers, don't forget you can still report suspected insurance fraud to ibc.ca or call IBC's anonymous TIPS line (1-877-IBC TIPS). "

For more fraud prevention tips, visit our website at ibc.ca, our blog at getintheknow.ibc.ca or follow us on Twitter @insurancebureau.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 114,000 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

To view media releases and information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca and for IBC on Twitter follow @insurancebureau.

About The Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers is a not-for profit community-based charitable programme involving the co-operative efforts of the community, the media and the police in the fight against crime. In Ontario there are 38 community programs in operation. Crime Stoppers encourages the public to call with information concerning crimes that have been committed, are being committed or are about to be committed.

Crime Stoppers is an effective tool for citizens to report crime. The long established hotline number 1-800-222-TIPS is well known and universal in all of North America. Crime Stoppers can also take secure and anonymous tips online at www.tipsubmit.com

SOURCE: INSURANCE BUREAU OF CANADA

For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact:

Ellen Woodger
Communications Consultant
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-483-2358
[email protected]

Helen Lialias 
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 ext. 4312
[email protected]

David J. Forster
President
Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers
416-567-1714
[email protected]