WHIPLASH 2 RAIDED
CAT rescue helpers Jay and Charity Jones renewed their wedding vows in front of hundreds of moggies at a shelter in Parlier, California. POLICE broke up a vice ring by following a trail of condoms blocking a drain to a massage parlour fronting a brothel in Austin, Texas. TWO “cash-for-crash” suspects have been raided by officers investigating the multi- million pound compensation racket. Computers and mobile phones were seized at the addresses.
The scandal, highlighted by the Sunday People, involves drivers who have had accidents being bombarded with texts and calls urging them to claim for non-existent whiplash injuries.
Last week’s raids by the Information Commissioner’s Office came after claims cyber criminals hacked a computer system used by repair workshops.
The data privacy watchdog searched h o mes in Macclesfield, Cheshire, and Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.
Spokesman Mike Shaw said: “We’re working hard to crack down on the illegal trade of personal details.”
The National Body Repair Association told the ICO its system had been hacked, revealing car repair estimates and driver details.
Car insurance firms blame rising premiums on rocketing personal injury claims. Britain’s largest, Aviva, said these claims have leapt 89 per cent in 15 years, despite a 40 per cent fall in road accidents.
The firm revealed whiplash claims alone added £93 to the average annual premium.