The Week Unzipped: Insurance claimants' tall tales cost honest policyholders £16 million

DISHONEST insurance claims are soaring at a record 2,000 a week, costing honest policyholders more than £16 million, according to the Association of British Insurers.

Among the frauds detected was the case of a man who claimed he had fractured his hand after falling over a pothole in the street, when he had sustained the injury after punching a wall during a domestic dispute. In another, a young woman claimed to have tripped over a loose pavement slab, when in fact her injuries were sustained from jumping down a flight of stairs while running away from security guards on suspicion of shoplifting.

And finally, someone claimed for head injuries allegedly from falling over, when they were in fact sustained after being hit on the head by a baseball bat during a fight.

Motor insurance frauds were highest by value, with dishonest claims totalling 410 million uncovered. The most common frauds involved home insurance, with 62,000 bogus or exaggerated claims detected.

Tax credit wake-up call

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is sending an urgent reminder to tax credit claimants - renew your claim by the 31 July deadline, or your payments will stop.

Renewing is simple - you need to check the accuracy of the information in the renewals pack you've been sent, and let HMRC know of any changes in your circumstances you haven't already reported during the year, such as your working hours, childcare costs or pay. You must also provide details of your previous year's income. Having the right documents to hand will help reduce errors when you're filling out the form, for example, payslips, your end-of-year P60 form and childcare details.

HMRC's Director of Benefits and Credits, Steve Lamey, said: "There are only a few days left to renew your tax credits, so you need to take urgent action if your haven't done so."

Bankruptcy toll soars

The number of Scottish companies going bankrupt has risen dramatically over the past year, according to data from the Accountant in Bankruptcy.

The figures for April to June show a rise of 66 per cent compared with the same period in 2009. The number of firms declaring insolvency increased from 183 to 304. There was a total of 861 company insolvencies in the financial year from April 2009.

The number of individual Scots declared insolvent also rose slightly to 5,378. Although 4 per cent higher than the previous quarter, the number is a 15 per cent drop on the record high figures for the same three months last year.

Broadband apathy rules

Almost half of UK broadband problems are left unsolved, because customers don't think it is worth complaining, according to a survey by Broadbandchoicescouk.

More than a third of those questioned said they thought it would be too much hassle and another third simply didn't have faith that their broadband provider could resolve their complaint.

These findings come as Ofcom announced regulations which will make it easier for consumers to get help with their complaints. From 2011, providers will have to include information of the complaint's resolution on all paper bills. Communications firms will also write to customers whose problem has not been resolved within eight weeks and inform them of their right to take the complaint to a dispute resolution service.

Michael Phillips, product director, Broadbandchoices.co.uk said: "Raising a complaint is never easy, but the stress and hassle will be significantly reduced thanks to the new Ofcom rules."