26/05/2026
Ghost broking is a type of insurance fraud where someone pretends to be a legitimate insurance broker and sells fake, invalid, or manipulated insurance policies - most commonly car insurance in the UK.
People who purchase this insurance then think they are legally insured, when in fact they are not. If someone obtains insurance that turns out to be fake, they could unknowingly be driving uninsured, which can lead to fines, penalty points, vehicle seizure or problems following involvement in a collsion or incident.
It is natural for people to want to get the best deal when securing vehicle insurance, however, we know that fraudsters will try to take advantage of this, either by promoting fake insurance online or through social media, often with suspiciously Iow prices...
What can seem like a bargain insurance policy is all too often the start of a fraud that can leave people out of pocket and vulnerable because of not having valid insurance in place.
Our advice is that before paying for car insurance, take the time to do your research to make sure the company and policy are genuine. Do not feel under pressure to pay for the policy until you are satisfied the company is genuine.
We would always encourage people to be cautious when purchasing an insurance policy online, speak to friends and family if you are concerned thata deal is too good to be true.
There may be some warning signs to be aware of such as an insurance deal that seems far cheaper than anywhere else does . If you are in any doubt about the validity of a company, the advice is always to STOP, THINK FRAUD!
STOP - Before you transfer money or disclose any personal details to anyone you do not know, please check and verify who you are communicating with using a trusted source. Be cautious with bank transfer requests and do not feel rushed or pressured. If possible, pay using a credit card. Most major credit card providers offer protection for online purchases. The safest way to pay is by credit card and where at all possible avoid paying by bank transfer to someone you do not know or have not met in person. Importantly, if you have lost money in a fraud please report it - to police, your bank and to Report Fraud as soon as possible. This is key to stopping the fraudster's ability to steal more of you money.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland, along with partners in the ScamwiseNI Partnership, encourage everyone to have a conversation about fraud in order to raise awarenes. This way we can empower each other with the knowledge of how to spot frauds and stop them, as well as adopting measures to protect our personal information.
