Consumer

Staged Car Accidents Growing Problem In N. Texas

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― Staged car accidents are a growing problem in North Texas.

Statistics reported to the National Insurance Crime Bureau show since 2001 there have been nearly 350 staged car accident schemes in North Texas alone.

By 2012, the federal government estimates Americans will spend a total of $3.3 trillion dollars on health care. Up to ten percent of health care spending is fraudulent.

A spokesman for Allstate Insurance said auto insurance premiums cost customers $300 more a year just to cover the costs of fraud.

The FBI called it Operation Bumper Cars. Click here to watch video of the scheme.

Dallas FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Anderson said in general, recruiters will find people to intentionally crash or damage their cars. Then they work with chiropractors and law firms to file the bogus insurance claims. They all share money received from insurance companies.

"Unfortunately, law firms have had a history engaging in this type of practice taking more of a willful blindness position," said Anderson.

Health care fraud is expected to keep rising despite increasing efforts by the FBI and its health care fraud task force that works closely with other federal, state, and local agencies.

In addition to staged car accidents, other health care fraud cases involve internet pharmacies which have physicians willing to write prescriptions even though they never examined the patient as required. Other schemes involve wheelchairs and other expensive medical equipment patients depend on.

Experts say if you're in an accident, call police, report it to your insurance company and take pictures.

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