September 2007 Regional News Releases
A Surrey couple finds out it doesn't pay to attempt to defraud ICBC — September 25
A failed attempt to defraud ICBC — September 21
A Surrey couple finds out it doesn't pay to attempt to defraud ICBC — September 25
ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud
Michael Green and Myrna Flett of Surrey have been charged with providing false statements to ICBC regarding a crash. Green recently attended Surrey Provincial Court and pleaded guilty to the offence, Sec 42.1 of the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. He was fined $1000 and his B.C. driver's licence remains suspended. The charge against Flett is outstanding, and a warrant remains for her arrest.
"ICBC's zero tolerance for fraud helps keep rates low and stable," said Steve Tripp, ICBC manager of Fraud Prevention Strategies. "ICBC invests more in fraud prevention and investigation than most property and casualty insurance companies in Canada," said Tripp
On June 30, 2005, Green and Flett were involved in a crash at the intersection of Yale Road and Nowell Street in Chilliwack. At the time of the crash, Green did not have a valid driver's licence and was driving his mother's 1991 Chevrolet Blazer. When reporting the crash to ICBC, both Green and Flett claimed Flett was the driver; however, witness testimony identified the driver as male. The witnesses also alleged that at the scene of the crash, Green tried to convince them to lie to ICBC about who was driving.
"We encourage the public to help fight fraud by reporting suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claims to our tips line. While ICBC thoroughly invests each claim, tips from the public and witness testimony are often vital to helping uncover the truth," said Tripp.
Information provided to ICBC's fraud tips line (604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844) is confidential and callers can remain anonymous. Last year, BC motorists saved more than $75 million to ICBC anti-fraud programs.
A failed attempt to defraud ICBC — September 21
ICBC has a zero tolerance for fraud
Eric Loptson of Coquitlam recently appeared in a North Vancouver Provincial Court, where he pleaded guilty to providing a false and misleading statement to ICBC, Section 42.1 of the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. Loptson was fined $2000.
"Zero tolerance for fraud is one of ICBC's strategies to help keep rates low and stable. It is not acceptable to ICBC to sit back and simply pass the cost of fraud onto our customers," said Steve Tripp, ICBC manager of Fraud Prevention Strategies.
On October 16, 2004, Loptson reported his 1998 Nissan Sentra stolen from a pub in Coquitlam. ICBC became suspicious of the claim and began to investigate after learning that Loptson's vehicle had been involved in a crash, prior to being reported stolen, and the driver of Loptson's vehicle had fled the scene.
A few days after reporting his vehicle stolen to ICBC, Loptson attended the Port Mann Highway Patrol office in relation to the crash. As Loptson was leaving the detachment, he had the misfortune of meeting the driver of the other vehicle involved in that crash. The other driver immediately identified Loptson to the police as the driver that had fled the scene. Loptson later confessed to ICBC that he had lied when reporting his claim, and as a result his claim was denied. The fraudulent claim was uncovered before ICBC paid out any money in relation to the claim.
"ICBC combats fraud to deter others and to recover fraudulent payments. Last year, BC motorists saved more than $75 million to ICBC anti-fraud programs," said Tripp
The public is encouraged to help fight fraud 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.
