There is no doubt that we are now living in a surveillance society. No matter where we go there is the real chance that there will, at some time or another, be a CCTV video camera pointing in our direction.

This type of passive covert surveillance is evident in just about every town and city throughout the UK. Most people will agree that this type of monitoring can be a benefit to us in terms of public safety when used as part of strategy in tackling crime and disorder.

However, what about targeted or directed surveillance?

These types of discreet targeted or directed observations are methods of gathering evidence or information in respect of a specific identified person to be used for a specific reason. Covert surveillance techniques such as these are used by a number of government organisations and law enforcement agencies.

You may be thinking, “Why should this type of covert surveillance concern me?” Well unless you are a spy for a foreign covert intelligence agency, a terrorist or a criminal then the average person should have absolutely nothing to worry about…..hmmm really? Maybe it’s not so clear cut.

Fraudulent Insurance Claims

Unlike the economy and unemployment, fraud continues to be a growing industry throughout the UK. (internal link to fraud article) In particular insurance fraud is on the increase and has been for some time. I think we can all agree that making a fraudulent insurance claim or exaggerating a claim to bump up the pay-out is fundamentally wrong. However, is it only fraudsters and people that deliberately and dishonestly exaggerate their insurance claim that need to worry that they are going to be scrutinised?  Experience tells me that the most law-abiding citizen when faced with making a personal injury claim may embellish or exaggerate the injuries sustained in an accident. Human beings have a tendency to embellish or exaggerate their misfortunes when they aren’t making an insurance claim so why should it be any different when they do make a claim? It is my belief that many ‘exaggerated’ claims may not be accompanied by dishonesty. The claimant using the incorrect terminology to express or emphasise their position can often be misinterpreted as a deliberate attempt to dishonestly mislead.

Assessing Claims

Whenever any insurance claim is made; that claim, under certain circumstances, may be liable to further investigation by the insurer. It is the duty of the insurer to make absolutely sure that every claim is genuine. If a claim exceeds a certain monetary value then that claim will be looked at very closely. If it is a personal injury claim then ‘further investigation’ will very likely entail a period of covert surveillance. Don’t think that because your injury is very obviously serious or debilitating that your claim will not be investigated using surveillance.  The truth is that if an insurance company can find any inaccuracy with your claim that may reduce or devalue it then there is no doubt that they will do so. As Michael Corleone said in the film The Godfather, It’s not personal Sonny, it is strictly business!