Insurance industry sees a surge in identity fraud cases

London’s insurance district. Image by Tim Sandle

New research reveals that insurance fraud has seen the largest percentage increase of any sector over the past seven years, growing by a staggering 211% since 2017. 

Plastic card fraud remains the most common type of identity fraud in 2024, accounting for 39.25% of all cases. Specifically, the communications sector has seen a 114.77% increase in identity fraud since 2017, now representing 15.20% of all cases. 

The analysis, conducted by leader in global identity and fraud intelligence GBG, examined identity fraud cases across different sectors between 2017 and 2024, showing significant shifts in how criminals are targeting victims and which industries are most at risk. 

The way UK identity fraud has changed over the last decade has been analysed. 

Drawing on UK data, Fraudscape reports from Cifas were accessed for identity fraud case counts by sector for the years 2017, 2023, and 2024 

Insurance fraud has experienced the most dramatic growth, with cases jumping from 4,215 in 2017 to 13,108 in 2024, representing a 211% increase.  This sector has moved up one place in the rankings and now accounts for 5.47% of all identity fraud cases compared to just 2.42% in 2017. 

The communications sector ranks second for growth, with cases rising from 16,973 to 36,453, which is a 114.77% increase. This sector has moved from accounting for the fourth-highest percentage of all identity fraud cases to the third highest, now representing 15.20% of all cases, up from 9.73% in 2017. 

Asset finance fraud showed the third highest percentage increase at 60.82%, though it remains relatively small in volume with 1,560 cases in 2024 compared to 970 in 2017. 

Plastic card fraud continues to dominate in terms of the number of cases, with 94,111 cases in 2024 compared to 58,788 in 2017, equating to a 60.09% increase. 

This sector has maintained its position as the most common type of identity fraud, now accounting for 39.25% of all cases, up from 33.68% seven years ago. 

Online retail fraud rounds out the top five growth areas with a 58.42% increase, rising from 11,729 cases in 2017 to 18,581 in 2024. This sector has moved up one place in the ranking to fourth and now represents 7.75% of all identity fraud cases. 

The all-in-one category saw an increase of 31.11% but remained the least common type of fraud with just 59 cases in 2024, representing 0.02% of all identity fraud. 

Bank account fraud remains the second most common type of identity fraud but has seen more modest growth of 12.42%, increasing from 51,544 cases to 57,944. 

This sector now represents 24.17% of all identity fraud cases, down from 29.53% in 2017. 

Sectors ranked by percentage increase in identity fraud cases (2017-2024) 

Mortgage fraud cases decreased by 33.33%, dropping from 45 cases to 30. Though small in number, this decline suggests potential improvements in security within the mortgage sector. 

Loan fraud has seen a notable decline of 22.16%, with cases falling from 20,082 to 15,631. This sector has dropped from third to fifth in the rankings and now represents 6.52% of all identity fraud cases, down from 11.51% in 2017. 

Looking at more recent changes between 2023 and 2024, the study revealed some notable shifts in criminal tactics. The communications sector saw a significant increase of 72.72% in the past year, reinforcing its position as a primary target for fraudsters. 

Online retail fraud saw a significant reversal, dropping by 25.41% in the past year despite its longer-term upward trend. Similarly, asset finance fraud plummeted by 80.09% in just one year.