A worldwide collaboration is needed to assist in preventing fraud, so it's worth noting International Insurance Fraud Awareness Week. As part of the broader Fraud Awareness Week, this week focuses on educating people about available anti-fraud tools and different types offraudulent scamswhich can help deter fraud and reduce possible rate hikes. White-collar crime affects all individuals — increasing expenses and putting pressure on genuine policyholders.
Continue reading to discover the significance of anti-fraud strategies and ways to reduce, detect, and handle possible insurance fraud.
| Key Takeaways
|
What is the purpose of Insurance Fraud Awareness Week?
International Insurance Fraud Awareness Week is a special period aimed at informing people about possible insurance fraud and encouraging measures to prevent it. It is included within the larger International Fraud Awareness Week, which focuses on a more extensive strategy for addressing fraudulent activities.[1]
The practice promotes organizations and communities to unite, engage in conversations about shared types offraud and scamsthey might come across and encourage learning about methods and actions related to preventing fraud.
What Dates Mark the Insurance Fraud Awareness Week?
International Insurance Fraud Awareness Week is usually held during the third week of November — from November 16 to 22, 2025.[2]The occasion aligns with International Fraud Awareness Week.[3]Nevertheless, since International Insurance Fraud Awareness Week is not an official event, certain state governments or groups might choose to acknowledge it at various points during the year.[4]
What Makes Insurance Fraud Awareness Significant?
Insurance fraud is widespread, so increasing awareness can help reduce the likelihood of future fraudulent claims. It is estimated that approximately 20% of allinsurance claimsin the United States, fraud is involved — resulting in companies and individuals losing about $308.6 billion each year.[5]
Even if you personally don't face fraud, policyholders frequently end up bearing the financial burden. The added expenses associated with detecting and preventing fraud are usually reflected in higher insurance rates. For instance, when insurers factor in insurance fraud, it can increase the average annual cost by $200 to $300.car insurance policy.[6]
Insurance Fraud Awareness Week Origins
International Fraud Awareness Week, sometimes referred to as Fraud Week, was initially created in 2000 by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) — a group dedicated to anti-fraud specialists.[3]A crucial aspect of this observance involves highlighting the issue of insurance fraud.
For many years, numerous state governors have made official announcements acknowledging Insurance Fraud Awareness Week, highlighting the significance of fighting insurance fraud via education and public outreach.[2][4]
How to Act if You're a Target of Insurance Scams
If you have fallen victim to insurance fraud, immediately cease all payments to the fraudulent party and refrain from any additional communication. Next, report the attempted fraud to the appropriate authorities. You may contact your state's insurance fraud bureau or department of insurance to confirm if your situation involves possible fraud or a genuine transaction.
You should also get in touch with your insurance companyTo inform them about the fraud. The sooner you report the problem—and the more information you share—the less trouble you may encounter with your service provider. Prompt reporting can also help keep you separate from the scammer and act as proof that you were a victim, not involved.
You might also get in touch with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which collaborates with law enforcement to look into and take legal action against insurance fraud. You can contact the NICB by dialing 1-800-835-6422 orcompleting a form on its website.[8]
How to Recognize and Prevent Insurance Fraud
Here are multiple methods to assist you in identifying and steering clear of insurance fraud schemes:
- Only obtain coverage through a licensed insurance agent, broker, or company. If you have doubts regarding the validity of an insurance policy, reach out to your state's insurance department to verify its authenticity.
- Always ask for detailed bills for repair workor medical services charged to your insurance. Make sure the fees match the care you received and that your insurance provider isn't being charged excessively.
- Check an insurance company's history online and research its reputation. Carriers that have received high scores from several reviewers are more likely to be genuine.
- Avoid signing blank applications or forms. They might include unapproved terms or incorrect details that you did not mean to accept.
- Do not pay your fees using cash. Rather, opt for online direct payments or checks. Transactions made with cash can be more difficult to track or reclaim if you later find out about a fraudulent activity.
- Keep your insurance details safe. If your information is available on your phone or computer, make sure it is secured with a password and not kept in a place where others can readily find it.
- Capture clear images of all damage while submitting a claim. Certain contractors might try to increase repair expenses or charge for work that wasn't done. Visual evidence can strengthen your position and safeguard your claim.
- Don't share your insurance details with anyone you aren't confident in, includingonline. Even minimal information can be paired with other openly accessible data, such as your name or address, to aid inidentity theft or other fraudulent activity.
- Be alert to cars that move in front of you and reduce speed. Fraudsters might deliberately create "accidents" to make fake insurance claims. Think about using adashcamto capture footage of what is happening in front of or behind your car, as it can assist in safeguarding you from fabricated accident schemes.
- Shop aroundWhen searching for a new policy, some companies might present premiums that appear too good to be accurate. Reviewing several quotes can assist you in recognizing genuine choices and steering clear of deceptive proposals.