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Young drivers targeted by 'ghost brokers' selling fake car insurance online
TL;DR
Young drivers are being targeted by 'ghost brokers' selling fake car insurance online, according to the FCA. Many victims unknowingly drive without insurance, risking prosecution and fines.
Key points
- Young drivers are targeted by ghost brokers selling fake insurance.
- Half of drivers aged 16-25 bought policies through social media.
- Victims may unknowingly drive without insurance and face legal consequences.
Young drivers are being targeted by "ghost brokers" selling fake car insurance online, the finance watchdog has warned.
Half of drivers aged 16-25 have bought policies through social media or messaging apps, many of which are fake, research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) suggested.
Some victims are unknowingly driving without insurance, meaning they could be prosecuted, fined or have their car seized, the FCA said.
Often the "policies" are suspiciously cheap, but many young drivers stretched by cost of living pressures are lured in, it added.
Driving without valid insurance is a criminal offence in the UK.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau and insurance company Aviva have both reported an increase in ghost broking in recent years.
The FCA Firm Checker can be used to confirm a broker is authorised.
Legitimate insurance brokers should have a website, phone number and address, the FCA said.
Amie Donaghey, 21, told BBC News NI she was left with a criminal conviction after being conned by a ghost broker.
She only realised she had bought a fake policy when she was stopped by police and discovered she was not insured.
Amie said she was quoted a price that was "a fraction" of the £4,500 that high-street insurance companies were charging.
When Amie tried to contact the "broker" after realising she had been scammed, she said he "ghosted" her. "I was blocked on everything," she said.
The FCA, which surveyed 1,000 drivers, said many ghost brokers pose as legitimate insurance sellers but offer cheap rates.
The policies are often completely bogus, are invalid because they falsify information to bring the price down, or are cancelled soon after purchase.
Graeme Reynolds, director of insurance at the FCA, said that "tight budgets make cheap offers tempting – and scammers take advantage of that".
"Don't get ghosted by a policy that doesn't exist. Check the FCA Firm Checker before you buy.
"Driving uninsured could cost you far more than any premium."
The FCA is working with social media influencers to warn young drivers about the growing threat of ghost broking.
Q&A
What are ghost brokers and how do they target young drivers?
Ghost brokers are individuals or groups selling fake car insurance policies, often targeting young drivers through social media and messaging apps.
What are the consequences of driving without valid insurance in the UK?
Driving without valid insurance in the UK is a criminal offence that can lead to prosecution, fines, and the seizure of the vehicle.
Why are young drivers more susceptible to buying fake insurance policies?
Young drivers are often lured by suspiciously cheap policies due to financial pressures from the cost of living, making them more vulnerable to ghost brokers.
