February 2009 news releases

ICBC news releases

ICBC raises more than $750,000 for United Way in 2008 — February 26
ICBC claims card to help customers — February 18
ICBC names top five frauds for 2008 — February 16
ICBC proud to support 2010 Winter Games — February 12

Provincial Government news releases

High-tech driver's licence to help stop ID theft, fraud — Feb 6
  [Backgrounder]
  [Video]
  [Driver's licence image]
  [B.C. ID image]
Backgrounder: new B.C. Driver's Licence and B.C. Identification Card — Feb 06

ICBC raises more than $750,000 for United Way in 2008

Corporation’s efforts recognized with United Way Community Spirit Award nominations

ICBC raised approximately $750,000 across the province as part of its 2008 United Way campaign – an outstanding effort that was recognized with two nominations at the Scotiabank & United Way Community Spirit Awards breakfast gala at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in downtown Vancouver this morning.

ICBC was nominated for two awards by United Way – the Loyal Campaign Award and the Quantum Leap Donors Award.

“These award nominations are a great thank you to all ICBC employees who donated to our 2008 United Way Campaign, and particularly the hundreds of employees who volunteered their time, talent and enthusiasm,” said John Dickinson, ICBC’s 2008 United Way Executive Sponsor. “The strength of ICBC’s campaign comes from the number of people who participate and help to make a difference in communities around the province.”

To encourage other companies to follow its lead in community giving, ICBC also sponsored the First-Time Employee Campaign Award which recognized an organization conducting its first United Way campaign while still achieving exceptional results.

“On behalf of the United Way and our communities, we thank everyone at ICBC for consistently being one of our top fundraisers,” said Michael McKnight, president and CEO of United Way of the Lower Mainland. “British Columbians in need are getting much-required resources and help thanks to fundraising efforts like these.”

Money raised throughout the 2008 United Way campaign will support community services for United Way organizations across the province, and help seniors, youth and many others in need.

ICBC has been a long-time supporter of United Way and has raised approximately $3.5 million on their behalf over the last five years.

"COPE 378 members at ICBC have a proud and long record of participating with the United Way campaign," said Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378 vice-president David Black. "Our members are very active in their communities and find the workplace campaign very rewarding. We are pleased to take part every year."

Media contact:
Adam Grossman:
(604) 982-1332

Catherine Dixon:
(604) 982-2482

ICBC claims card to help customers — February 18

‘At the scene of a crash’

Experiencing a crash can be frightening and stressful to say the very least, so ICBC and its Autoplan brokers have teamed up to distribute a claims card – titled At the scene of a crash – to help customers remember all the vital information they need to gather in order to make a claim.

“Our customers who have never been in a crash may not know what information to collect, which only adds to an already stressful situation,” said Craig Horton, senior vice president of claims at ICBC. “We believe this card will help reduce the stress for those customers involved in a crash.”

The card will make it easier for customers to record important information at the scene, such as:

• The location, date and time of the crash
• The licence plate numbers of other vehicle(s) involved
• Witness names and contact information

The claims card also includes a diagram to help customers illustrate what happened at the scene.

In addition to English versions, cards are also available in Cantonese and Punjabi.

“At the scene of a crash cards are available from local Autoplan brokers or ICBC Claim Centres, and will help ensure a hassle-free claims experience for our customers,” said Horton.

Claims can be filed 24 hours a day, seven days a week using ICBC’s Dial-a-Claim lines. Customers in the Lower Mainland should call 604-520-8222, while those elsewhere should call 1-800-910-4222.

Download a copy (PDF) of the At the scene of a crash card.

Media contact:
Kathy Taylor:
(604) 982-2480

ICBC names top five frauds for 2008 — February 16

More than 2,800 cases investigated to protect customers from fraudsters

A staged accident ring, a bribe and a fraudulently reported stolen motorcycle are among ICBC’s 2008 list of Top Five Frauds, highlighting individuals and groups who were caught trying to defraud the public insurer and its customers last year. They were among 2800 cases of fraud investigated and 54 convictions achieved by ICBC’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in 2008.

“We estimate fraud and exaggeration costs each of our 3.1 million customers in the range of $100 to $150 per year,” said Steven Tripp, manager of ICBC’s SIU. “That amounts to theft from our customers. We’re committed to protecting them and to keeping rates low and stable.”

No. 1 ‘Staged accident ring’

In September 2008, a court awarded ICBC more than $369,000 from 22 people who worked together to defraud ICBC. This group of friends and family members staged 12 intentional crashes dating back to 1995. In addition to the court award, ICBC secured $226,000 in settlements from various defendants.

No. 2 'It’s not a bribe, it’s a tip’

A Vancouver woman, who’d failed the knowledge test three times and the driving test another three times, placed two one hundred dollar bills on the driver examiner’s seat before he got into the car. She told investigators she thought the ‘tip’ would ensure she passed the test. The woman was sentenced to nine months conditional house arrest after pleading guilty to trying to bribe the driver examiner.

No. 3 ‘ Maybe if I destroy the evidence…’

An Abbotsford man reported his motorcycle stolen. After paying out the claim, ICBC discovered the bike had been abandoned in Sasquatch Provincial Park weeks before the alleged theft.

SIU officers interviewed the man and during a recorded statement, he claimed he lent the bike to a friend who crashed it and wouldn’t return it. The man then grabbed the digital recording device and ran out of the Claims Centre. The SIU officer caught up to him but not before the man smashed the recording device to the ground, in an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the evidence.

The man pleaded guilty to making a false statement to ICBC and mischief; he was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $3,069 in restitution. He was also sentenced to six months probation and 15 hours of community service.

No. 4 ‘Caught on tape, working’

After crashing his vehicle, this driver claimed he was too injured to continue to work or even drive. Surveillance video not only showed him working and driving but lifting heavy boxes and equipment as he moved his business to another location.

He pleaded guilty to making a false statement to ICBC and was fined $2,000. He also repaid the $4,400 ICBC had paid him for lost wages.

“Inflating injury and damage claims is a common form of fraud,” said Tripp. “We have to safeguard our customers from fraudulent acts and those whose false claims threaten stable rates for our customers.”

No. 5 ‘Restorative justice at work’

A young Kelowna man admitted to totalling his grandmother’s car, after first claiming he was the victim of a hit and run. He opted for the restorative justice program, writing a letter of apology to community members involved, speaking to media about his experience and lessons learned and performing two days of community service. He also had to repay ICBC $18,900 for damage to his grandmother’s vehicle.

ICBC takes all allegations seriously and follows up on all tips and information. The public can help by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims to ICBC’s fraud tips line at 604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844, toll free from anywhere in the province. Tip information is confidential and callers can remain anonymous.

Media contact:
Adam Grossman:
(604) 982-1332

ICBC proud to support 2010 Winter Games — February 12

Corporation committed to rewarding customers and business partners with vast majority of its 2010 ticket allocation

ICBC is a proud supporter and sponsor of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (2010 Winter Games), and is looking to share in the excitement.

ICBC requested 2,264 tickets for the 2010 Winter Games, and its sponsorship is funded entirely out of the marketing budget from the optional insurance side of the business, where ICBC operates in a competitive marketplace. There is no impact on basic policyholders.

As part of its sponsorship of the Games, ICBC will be using approximately 75 percent of its 2010 Winter Games ticket allocation to reward customers, business partners and suppliers.

ICBC is proud of its involvement with the 2010 Winter Games. More than 140,000 British Columbians have already shown their support by proudly displaying 2010 Winter Games licence plates on their vehicles as part of the ‘Behind the Drive’ campaign, and we will be thanking them for their support by entering their names to win tickets in a program soon to be announced. This is in addition to the 2010 Winter Games tickets we have already given away.

The remaining 25 percent will be used by ICBC employees that have a legitimate business purpose, such as hosting customers and business partners. In addition, a small number of ICBC employees who participate in various corporate health and wellness activities will also be entered into draws for 2010 tickets.

Media contact:
Mark Jan Vrem:
(604) 982-2476

Provincial Government news releases

	NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Feb. 06, 2009
High-tech driver's licence to help stop ID theft, fraud VANCOUVER - British Columbians will soon be carrying new, redesigned, high-tech driver's licences that will be harder to alter, forge or obtain under different identities than current licences, Solicitor General John van Dongen announced today as part of government's latest efforts to prevent identity theft and other criminal activity. "Driver's licences are widely trusted as ID and, when tampered with, can cost people, businesses and financial institutions millions of dollars each year," said van Dongen. "The cutting edge features we are introducing, like facial recognition technology, will greatly enhance the integrity of these cards as identification." The new and improved security features, which will also apply to a new B.C. Identification Card, include: Facial recognition technology, which will enable ICBC to compare a cardholder's image with their existing image on file and with the corporation's entire database of millions of images. This technology will provide strong protection against identity theft and fraud, and help prevent prohibited drivers from obtaining licences in false names. Counterfeit-prevention devices like holographic overlays and laser-engraving or raising of features like the cardholder's image and signature, plus a second "ghosted" image printed at a different depth in the card than the primary photo, for added security. New polycarbonate card stock, which is much more tamper-resistant and durable than the existing, plastic cards. Elaborate graphic designs that incorporate a B.C. mountain range, the Steeples in the Kootenay River Valley, on the driver's licence and an orca on the ID card. Designed to meet North American information placement standards, the cards also use larger type for easier reading of key information. Additional text to identify cardholders under 19 years old. This feature is common on ID cards but will be unique on B.C. driver's licences. It will make it easier for police, licensed establishments and retailers of tobacco, alcohol and lottery products to quickly verify a cardholder's legal age. "Criminal organizations keep getting more sophisticated in their fake-ID manufacturing capabilities," said Sgt. Rick Koop of the RCMP's B.C. Commercial Crime Section. "The new security features for the new driver's licences are a timely and effective response to a variety of unlawful activities, including cases where individuals apply for a licence under an assumed name because they've been prohibited from driving, and where organized criminals are involved in large-scale credit fraud." ICBC will begin issuing the new documents on March 2, 2009 to customers who apply for a new, renewed or replacement B.C. Driver's Licence or B.C. Identification Card. Holders of existing, valid licences and cards can continue to use them until they expire. As such, both new and existing licences and cards will be in use over the next five years. "The process to obtain a new or renewed driver's licence will remain virtually unchanged, except for the requirement for customers to maintain a neutral facial expression for their card photo, and the current fees will not change," said Fred Hess, vice president of driver licensing at ICBC. Photo driver's licences were first issued in B.C. in 1972. Digital photography was introduced to the cards in 1996, and in 2003, further improvements made the cards more tamper- and counterfeitresistant. Photos of a sample licence and card are available at www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/mediaroom/events/index.htm online. Media Contacts: Cindy Rose Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Tel: 250 356-6961 Adam Grossman ICBC Corporate Communications Tel: 604 982-1332

 

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Driver's licence image

B.C. ID image

	BACKGROUNDER
For Immediate Release Feb. 6, 2009
New B.C. Driver's Licence and B.C. Identification Card The new B.C. Driver's Licence and B.C. Identification Card will meet the highest standards of integrity and security features. These documents will reflect national and international standards established by the Canadian Driver Licence Agreement and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Facial Recognition Technology Facial recognition technology has emerged as a new security benchmark for government-issued documents because of its proven success at detecting fraud. B.C. is joining other Canadian provinces and more than 30 U.S. jurisdictions that have implemented it. This technology analyses the measurements of facial characteristics that do not change, such as the size and location of cheekbones and the distance between the eyes. It is extremely rare for two people to have the same facial measurements. ICBC will flag any matches for further review and investigation, and only issue licences to people using their own identities, thereby reducing identity theft and fraud. Facial recognition does not involve collecting any new information about drivers. The use of facial recognition technology has been reviewed for privacy implications and has been found to meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. New Card Security Features The new cards will be extremely difficult to counterfeit or tamper with. In addition to the security features highlighted in the news release, the cards will include: An optical variable device - that is, a stamped foil graphic very similar to the bird on a Visa card. On B.C. cards, it will contain whales, the provincial coat of arms and the provincial logo. Its holographic qualities will make it very difficult to duplicate. Micro and rainbow printing that is only visible under a magnifying glass and written in a unique pattern. Ultraviolet designs that only show up under a black light, helping to prevent counterfeiting. An improved magnetic stripe, which will contain the same information that is on the front of the card. Two- and one-dimensional barcodes. The former cannot be altered, while the latter is a unique number assigned to each card. The new licences and cards will build on other, recent efforts to provide British Columbians with security-enhanced documents. In January 2008, the Province began issuing one of the most high-tech and durable birth certificates in the world, with more than 20 security features. Licence Fees Are Unchanged The standard fees for the B.C. Driver's Licence and B.C. Identification Card remain the same: Two-year original licence or renewal: $31 Five-year original licence or renewal: $75 Five-year original licence or renewal (seniors): $17 Duplicate (replacement or upgrade licence): $17 Class 7 two-year learner's licence: $10 Original BC Identification Card: $35 Original BC Identification Card (seniors): $15 Duplicate or renewal BC Identification Card: $15 Other Licensing Facts The first B.C. Driver's Licence was issued in Victoria on February 16, 1925. Exams for driver's licences became mandatory in 1939. In 1950, the term of a B.C. Driver's Licence was extended to five years from one. Photo driver's licences were first issued in B.C. in 1972, the same year licence classes were established. In 2008, ICBC issued a total of more than one million driver's licences and identification cards. ICBC provides licensing services through 121 locations across the province. Media Contacts: Cindy Rose Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Tel: 250 356-6961 Adam Grossman ICBC Corporate Communications Tel: 604 982-1332