Double dealing

On 15 January 2007, the long awaited Fraud Act 2006 came into force. A key part of the Government's plan to crack down on fraud, the new law is designed to make prosecution easier. Fraud is a multi-billion-pound business. It is estimated to cost insurance companies in the region of £1.5bn a year. Fraud against insurance companies is often perceived as a victimless crime, but, in reality, everyone is a victim, as every penny lost to fraud adds directly to the premiums being paid. And society pays a higher price, as the proceeds of fraud are channelled into other criminal activity - includi...