Drivers in the UK are being warned of car insurance scams circulating on social media.
Cash-strapped drivers are being urged to exercise caution when finding bogus car insurance “deals” online.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) issued the warning last year as thousands of learner drivers prepared to pass their test amid a backlog of tests due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scams include “ghost broking”, where fraudsters pretend to be insurance brokers to sell unrealistically cheap and fake policies, often to younger drivers.
The IFB warned new drivers could be paying out hundreds of pounds on what in reality is nothing more than a photoshopped piece of paper.
The Bureau warned that scammers even use stolen personal information to take out policies which are then doctored before being sold on.
Victims will find they are uninsured when they come to claim for an accident which can lead to thousands of pounds in costs and even six points on their driving licence.
They may also face court, where they might receive an unlimited fine and a driving ban.
The IFB warned the scam could even affect job prospects if drivers are left with an uninsured driving conviction on their records.
Stephen Dalton, head of intelligence and investigations at the IFB said: “The last thing new drivers need right now is to risk losing their car for no insurance because they’ve been duped by a scammer on social media.
“Drivers must carry out basic…
