Online fraud detection: 10 Ways Insurance Agents Spot Fraudulent Claims

Insurance fraud is a bigger problem in the United States than you might guess. And the people who commit it are increasingly creative. While there are plenty of common scams out there -- like pretending you lost an expensive piece of jewelry, then filing a claim -- fraudsters also perpetrate scams by, say, staging accidents. For example, a motorist in front of you will suddenly hit the brakes in the hopes you'll hit him and he can fake an injury. Or someone will craft a fake vehicle title or registration for a nonexistent (but expensive) antique or luxury car, then report the car stolen and file a claim.

Such rip-offs cost Americans tens of billions of dollars a year. And unfortunately, they've become more prevalent, thanks to a sour economy that's causing some people to resort to desperate measures to bring in a little cash. Auto insurance fraud, for example, has risen dramatically -- and so has the number of people who believe cheating their auto insurer is acceptable.