Équité Association

Recognizing the different types of insurance fraud can help Canadians protect themselves from becoming a victim. From staged collisions, to medical services fraud, to ghost brokers, Équité Association works with our members to educate and raise awareness to help protect Canadians. https://lnkd.in/gZUvMUnm

Congratulations to Toronto Police Service (TPS) on the success of Project Warden, an ongoing auto theft investigation that has uncovered fraudulent and criminal activities worth approximately $2.188 million. TPS announced the arrest of two men facing 176 charges related to the fraudulent sale of 22 re-VINed vehicles, document forgery, and more.    At Équité Association we know that fraud always has a victim. We continue to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to combat insurance crimes and protect our communities. https://lnkd.in/dtDtEnJj

Équité Association is proud to have been an integral part of the success of Project Thoroughbred alongside Toronto Police Service (TPS), Ontario Ministry of Transportation/ Ministère des Transports de l’Ontario (MTO) and Canadian Border Service Agency(CBSA). This is an ongoing investigation into auto thefts and fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), resulting in 59 people arrested, over 300 charges laid, and over 360 stolen vehicles recovered. Through their collaborative efforts, investigators uncovered a scheme involving the registration of phony VINs by employees of a ServiceOntario location. These fraudulent VINs were used to sell stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers at a significant discount. TPS Chief Myron Demkiw, M.O.M. stated, "This initiative also underscores the critical role of collaboration among various stakeholders in addressing a problem that significantly impacts the safety of our communities. We are committed to continuing our partnership with government and law enforcement agencies to enhance our enforcement efforts and protect our residents." https://lnkd.in/g5pWDStv

Consumer education and awareness is key when it comes to combatting insurance crime, including auto theft. In this radio interview with Bill Carroll of 580 CFRA, Bryan Gast, CFE VP Investigative Services, Équité Association emphasizes the growing urgency surrounding vehicle security, as consumers become more vigilant about which models to buy due to elevated theft risk. Bryan explains that auto theft is financially motivated, perpetrated by organized crime groups to fund drugs, weapons and guns that then stay in the community. “Auto theft really is a public safety issue.” https://lnkd.in/gRyzRc3y

Safeguard your accident benefits. When it come to accident benefits fraud, financial organized crime networks will seek to maximized payouts without providing adequate care or ensuring enough funds are left for continued care. Unfortunately, this includes those with a duty to act with integrity, such as healthcare clinic owners, registered healthcare practitioners, lawyers and more. This checklist is designed to help keep track of accident benefits and protect against fraudulent billing. https://lnkd.in/gS2T9_4A #ScamsLeaveScars #insurancecrime #Collaboration #insurancefraud #insurancebrokers Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)

Bryan Gast, CFE, VP Investigative Services, Équité Association spoke on behalf of the property and casualty insurance industry about what needs to be done in order to sustainably decrease auto theft in Canada.    In an interview with CBC Marketplace, investigative reporter David Common asked Bryan Gast, 'What it’s going to take to stop auto theft?' Bryan responded “The vehicle has to be harder to steal in the first place.”   In the same interview Équité member CAA Club Group Director, Government Relations Elliott Silverstein, shared that transportation standards need to be modernized. "The more we can be prepared for today and plan for tomorrow the better off we'll all be."

In this investigative piece airing on CBC Marketplace tonight (Friday, October 25, 2024), Bryan Gast, CFE, VP Investigative Services, Équité Association shares that he believes that “…the more than 85 per cent decline in U.K. theft rates over that period can, in part, be attributed to automakers having to meet some of the most stringent security standards in the world. While car theft rates have climbed back up in the U.K., [...] cars sold in Canada remain far too easy to steal, and automakers need to do more to prevent the vehicle from being stolen in the first place.” https://lnkd.in/ghm5CQXq

As Canada’s national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité Association is raising awareness about the devastating impacts of insurance fraud through our ‘Scams Leave Lasting Scars’ campaign. Today we’re highlighting tips to avoid being scammed by ‘Crash for Cash’ fraudsters. Known as a “crash for cash” scam, a staged collision is insurance fraud that puts innocent drivers, and their passengers, at physical and emotional risk of harm. After staging a collision, criminals will seek to maximize profits from insurance payouts, however this focus on financial gain, excludes consideration for the pain and suffering that these scams can cause the innocent drivers, passengers and bystanders they target. Find tips for identifying and avoiding ‘Crash for Cash’ scams here: https://lnkd.in/g4rS7Y7Z #ScamsLeaveScars #insurancecrime #Collaboration #insurancefraud

As Canada’s national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité Association is raising awareness about the devastating impacts of insurance fraud through our ‘Scams Leave Lasting Scars’ campaign. After suffering whiplash, several fractures, sprains, and headaches because of a motor vehicle accident, an elderly woman approached a healthcare clinic to treat her injuries. During a legal proceeding, it was revealed the clinic claimed it was owed $40,000 for treatments. The patient’s adult son requested documentation to find out why the claims were so high. Investigators uncovered a large difference between the billed treatments and the actual treatments provided to the patient. The discrepancy between what was billed and the services provided depicts how insurance fraud takes advantage of the accident benefits system designed to protect people at their most vulnerable. In this instance, the healthcare professional admitted to a series of failings, leading to their professional registration being revoked. Additionally, the clinic was found to be involved in multiple instances of insurance fraud and had their licence revoked and penalties imposed. This victim impact story is adapted from a real case scenario to help Canadians recognize signs of insurance fraud and crime. Visit Équité’s Resource Library for more information about how to recognize and prevent insurance crime: https://lnkd.in/gS2T9_4A

We applaud the federal government on continuing to move the National Action Plan to Combat Auto Theft forward. This article by The Canadian Press recognizes the tremendous progress that has been made and, as stated by Bryan Gast, CFE, VP, Investigative Services, Équité Association, acknowledges that more needs to done: “Until the proposed regulations for vehicle manufacturers are put in place, only reactionary parts of the action plan, such as improving police intelligence-sharing, can be implemented. The new standards really have to be modernized to reflect the manner in which vehicles are being stolen and the current vulnerabilities of those vehicles." https://lnkd.in/g4_se5jd