When a Crash Isn't an Accident
- Selina Paul
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Even the most careful drivers can experience a near miss or a minor fender bender from time to time. We all make mistakes, and even when you do everything right, you can’t control the fact that others will make mistakes behind the wheel. But increasingly, an unsettling number of accidents aren’t accidental at all. Staged collisions, carefully orchestrated to look like the real thing, are on the rise, and they are taking the roads by storm.
In Canada, Aviva insurance company has reported a 400% increase in fake crashes between 2024 and 2025, while in the United States, the National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that staged car accidents cost the auto insurance industry billions of dollars each year.
Aviva, in their investigation, found that vehicle theft is actually decreasing. But there's a downside. According to Jamie Lee, Aviva’s Head of Fraud and Financial Crime, “unfortunately, organized criminals need other means to make money. And now, they’re turning to other, also fraud-related, crimes.” As theft becomes riskier and less profitable, scammers are shifting their attention to more elaborate schemes and bigger payouts.
The scope of the problem is staggering, with set-ups ranging from simple single car ‘accidents’ to coordinated multi-vehicle schemes involving accomplices, fake injuries, and falsified repair bills.
Common Auto Scams
Authorities are increasingly warning about staged accidents that put innocent drivers at risk. According to The Insurance Bureau of Canada, there are three common auto schemes drivers should look out for:
The “Drive Down”: a scammer waits for you to exit a parking spot and ‘helpfully’ waves you out. As you exit, they will slam into your vehicle and claim you didn't check before entering the live lane.
The “Bullet Left-Turn": at an intersection a scammer will wave you through, seemingly giving you the right-of-way. When you attempt to move through, they will drive into your vehicle and fault you for not yielding to waiting cars.
The “Swoop and Squat”: one scammer will position their car in front of your vehicle, and an accomplice will cut in front of them. After they brake suddenly, you're more likely to collide with their bumper and appear to be at fault, since rear-end collisions are typically blamed on drivers who follow too closely.
Victims of these attacks are often caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, allowing fraudsters to use confusion, intimidation, or fabricated stories to push the blame onto innocent drivers.
The Consequences Go Far Beyond the Crash
Staged collisions rely on the dangerous assumption that everything will go according to plan. In reality, unexpected variables on the road leave little room for error, and so‑called controlled crashes can easily spiral into severe accidents.
“Consider the added risk of highway speeds, and this type of fraud can rapidly get pretty terrifying. Now we’re at the level of considerable physical risk, law enforcement, EMTs, and fire response.” - Lorraine Sommerfeld, Driving
These incidents wreak havoc in the moment, endangering drivers, tying up emergency resources, and blocking road lanes. They also have lasting effects on drivers' wallets. Hefty repair costs are one thing, but when insurance companies repeatedly make large payouts to scammers, the cost is ultimately passed on to uninvolved, law-abiding policyholders.
Fraudsters are likely to target commercial vehicles, as they suspect drivers have more comprehensive coverage through their employers. Organized crime groups also tend to go after those who are less likely to dispute a crash, such as older drivers, women driving alone, or those in rental cars.
Protecting Yourself on the Road
One of the most effective ways to avoid becoming involved in a staged collision is to simply stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Fraudsters often look for easy targets, and distracted drivers fit that profile. Keep your focus on the road by limiting distractions like cell phones, food, or anything else that takes your hands or eyes away from driving.
Pay attention to drivers who seem to be hovering near your vehicle, following unusually closely, or behaving erratically, especially in parking lots, at intersections, or during stop‑and‑go traffic. Don’t rely on other drivers to signal that it’s safe to proceed; take a moment to make your own assessment before moving. Dash cams also work as a useful deterrent for scammers, providing evidence against false claims and documenting evidence of wrongdoing.
A little extra vigilance can go a long way in keeping you safe, your record clean, and scammers off your bumper.
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