A total of 457 calls have been placed to Manitoba Public Insurance’s anonymous TIPS Line as of the end of September ─ a 38 per cent increase from the previous high of 330 calls received for all of 2016.
“The vast majority of honest Manitobans are sending the strong message that defrauding MPI is not acceptable,” said Curtis Wennberg, Vice-President, Customer Service and COO, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Calling the MPI TIPS Line is the first step in shutting down fraudsters and the call volume to the TIPS Line is reflective of peoples’ intolerance for fraud. Many of these calls trigger investigations by MPI’s Special Investigation Unit.
“MPI’s SIU has implemented a number of cutting edge, investigative tools in efforts to expose fraudsters and we are improving our recovery rates as well as prosecutions.”
Fraud costs MPI customers about $50 yearly. People found to be defrauding MPI can be charged criminally, within the MPIC Act, or Highway Traffic Act. To date, 22 individuals have been charged for allegedly defrauding MPI. Penalties for defrauding MPI can range from termination of benefits to court-ordered restitution and fines.
“A conviction of any nature is a very serious consequence of auto insurance fraud,” said Wennberg. “A criminal record can affect travelling across the border, loss of employment or business opportunities. Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and this criminal activity affects honest Manitobans through their premiums.”
A recent MPI survey of 800 respondents reported the following:
- More than 50 per cent of respondents stated they are more likely to report a fraud after seeing MPI’s “Fraud: We All Pay” ad
- More than 50 per cent of respondents acknowledged heightened awareness about MPI’s TIPS Line
- 70 per cent of respondents acknowledged having a raised awareness that auto insurance fraud is a problem
- More than 50 per cent admitted that auto insurance fraud was something they had not thought about
Anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the MPI’s TIPS Line: 204-985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477. All calls are anonymous.