February 2007 Regional News Releases

Victoria experiences increased auto theft — February 22
Local mill provides "shakey" wage loss information to ICBC — February 22
Kelowna resident billed ICBC for services never provided — February 14

Victoria experiences increased auto theft — February 22

VICTORIA, B.C. - February is Auto Crime Enforcement Month in British Columbia. The provincial government, police and ICBC are working together to reduce auto crime through a number of initiatives. Auto crime statistics for the first nine months of 2006 show auto crime in the City of Victoria has increased, while most other parts of the province, including the rest of Vancouver Island have experienced decreases.

According to Char Roth, ICBC Community Manager for Victoria, there were 240 stolen vehicles in Victoria during 2005. During that same timeframe, ICBC reported the total number of stolen vehicles on Vancouver Island was 1150. "These numbers may seem low in the grand scheme of things," says Roth, "but there is a huge cost and impact to our customers associated to these thefts. In 2005, auto crime incidents cost ICBC more than $130 million dollars.`"

In an effort to drive these numbers down, ICBC is supporting the Victoria City Police Crime Prevention programs, by making auto crime a priority. ICBC has provided $12,000 in Auto Crime funding to assist the 25 Reserve Constables and 80 Crime Watch Volunteers who deliver auto crime prevention initiatives in the City of Victoria. These programs work to educate the public on ways to reduce their risk of being a victim of auto crime as well as increase awareness in high crime locations.

"Our approach is to work closely with uniformed police officers using current crime analysis data to target those areas experiencing theft from or theft of autos," states Sgt. Sean Plater, who is in charge of the Crime Prevention Services at the Victoria Police Department. "In addition to auditing vehicles in parking lots, parkades, and residential neighbourhoods, our unit also conducts the Lock Out Auto Crime program in condominium and apartment buildings experiencing property crime. The goals of the program are to deter crime and to educate the public about how to better protect their vehicles and themselves," added Plater.

ICBC is tackling the auto crime problem with community police by supporting enforcement programs such as IMPACT, Target Teams and Bait Car.

Auto crime prevention tips that car owners should consider:

Use an anti-theft device.
Report all suspicious activity to the police.
Lock your doors, close all windows and remove valuables from your vehicle.
Choose well-lit areas to park. Look for areas near pedestrian traffic.

If you see any suspicious activity, please call your local police or if you have any information about a crime being committed call Victoria Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information on auto theft prevention and local program funding visit ICBC's website at http://www.icbc.com

For more information contact:
Charlene Roth
Community Manager, Victoria
250-480-5602 or 250-893-0054

Local mill provides "shakey" wage loss information to ICBC — February 22

Civil action filed against 4 defendants and Copper River Shake & Shingle Ltd.

ICBC has recently filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court against 4 individuals and Copper River Shake & Shingle Ltd., a mill located in Maple Ridge. ICBC alleges the company and a number of its employees were involved in a conspiracy to defraud ICBC. It is alleged the employer intentionally provided false or misleading information in support of a wage loss claim presented by the defendant Salinderjit Singh.

ICBC alleges that it uncovered evidence of fraud early in its investigation, which supported its decision to decline payment of Singh's wage loss claim and resulted in ICBC avoiding paying thousands of dollars in unwarranted compensation. As outlined in the statement of claim, ICBC is also seeking to recover for claims costs already paid out plus punitive damages, investigative and legal costs.

"Regardless of who commits the fraud, ICBC has a zero tolerance," said Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice president of Loss Management. "Any action to support someone else's fraudulent claim can cost you. ICBC will not sit back and simply pass the cost of fraud onto our customers."

The statement of claim alleges on October 3, 2005, Singh was involved in a crash. He submitted an injury claim to ICBC, claiming he was disabled and could not return to work at Copper River Shake & Shingle Ltd. ICBC investigators became aware that Singh was attending the mill for extended periods of time, and a letter was sent to the mill requesting Singh's wage loss information. The mill responded to ICBC indicating Singh was disabled and could not work.

ICBC further alleges that Singh and his employer conspired to advance a claim to defraud the corporation. Both parties are alleged to have provided false or misleading information to ICBC in an attempt to gain insurance compensation for Singh to which he was not entitled.

The circumstances of the claim are set out in greater detail in the court documents filed by ICBC. The allegations in the statement of claim have not been proven in court.

Fraud hits you in your pocketbook. You can help hit back by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims. Information provided to ICBC's fraud tips line (604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844) is confidential and callers can remain anonymous.

Defendants: Salinderjit Singh, Ranjit Sidhu, Manjot Mander, Hardeep Sidhu, Copper River Shake & Shingle Ltd

For more information see the Statement of Claims, New Westminster Registry No.S-103355. A copy is available through ICBC Media Relations.

Kelowna resident billed ICBC for services never provided — February 14

ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud

Rajendra Ramaiya Chetty of Kelowna is facing the consequences of attempting to defraud ICBC. Over a two year period, Chetty submitted thousands of dollars in fraudulent receipts for home care that was not provided. He was charged with fraud under the Criminal Code of Canada and with providing false information to ICBC, an offence under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. He pled guilty to providing false information to ICBC and was fined $750, and was ordered to pay $5,065 in restitution for claims costs already paid out.

"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime, it affects everyone's insurance rates," said Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice-president of Loss Management. "ICBC's zero tolerance for fraud is one of our strategies for keeping rates low and stable."

Chetty's mother was injured in a crash in September of 2002, and as a result was entitled to home care to help her recover from her injuries. Her son was responsible for managing her care and initially set it up with a legitimate independent service provider. After a few months, Chetty fired the service provider and "hired" a fictitious care provider. He continued to bill ICBC, although service was not being provided to his mother.

When approached by ICBC, Chetty claimed his records identifying the care provider had been accidentally destroyed but he assured ICBC the receipts were legitimate. Through further investigation, ICBC uncovered the truth and his claims were denied.