The recently formed IFB has pinpointed a few northern cities as major centres of insurance fraud activity.

Using some clever software that identifies claimants by postcode, the IFB have been able to come up with a hot spot map of cash for crash fraudsters. So if you are living in Manchester, Sheffield or Birmingham it’s worth noting that you’re a lot more likely to become a victim of a staged accident.

Police are already beginning to target some of the hot spots, Luton for example where they recently convicted 33 fraudsters for more than £5m worth of insurance fraud. Fraud is a major problem for the insurance industry, ABI figures show that £840m of fraudulent claims were uncovered in 2009, the vast majority of which were motor insurance related.

The IFB is a recent partnership between the industry and the City of London police aimed at tackling the recent rise in fraudulent activity.