Insurance worker jailed for stealing and selling on customer data

Subsequent to accessing this data, Yates then passed the detail on to claims management companies, which used the information to cold-call the drivers involved and pressurise them into making personal injury and damage claims against the insurance industry.

Following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court just before Christmas, Yates was found guilty of fraud by abuse of position and computer misuse. He was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment on 11 December.

Details of the case

The theft was discovered by Royal Sun Alliance following controls identifying issues and customer complaints. The matter was reported to the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department at the City of London Police in September 2020.

After having been bought to its attention during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Royal Sun Alliance researched the complaints and identified that Yates had accessed specific records when he was not authorised to do so.

After further enquiries, Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department officers went to Yates’ residence at the time to arrest him. Yates was logged into his work computer and pages of handwritten notes, which contained the details of customers whose accounts he had recently accessed, were found next to the screen.

Officers seized £2,200 in cash, documents containing customer details and also a mobile phone from Yates’ address. An examination of the mobile phone found that it contained over 100 images of typed pages of customer details.

During his police interview, Yates made no comment other than to confirm his mobile telephone number.

Position of trust

Detective Sergeant Matt Hussey, from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department at the City of London Police, said: “Yates took advantage of his position of trust by stealing confidential data for over a year. He copied down customer records and took pictures of them on his mobile phone, gathering enough details so that the phone calls from the cold calling companies would sound legitimate.”

Hussey continued: “Yates’ actions could have seriously harmed Royal Sun Alliance’s reputation. As well as being distressing for customers, the cold calls could have caused members of the public to unintentionally submit fraudulent claims across the insurance industry.”

In conclusion, Hussey affirmed: “Unfortunately for Yates, his plan backfired and we found clear evidence of his scheme when we arrested him. We hope this case sends a clear message to anyone thinking of doing something similar. Not only will you lose your job, but you could also face a prison sentence.”

Adele Sumner, head of counter fraud and financial crime at Royal Sun Alliance (UK and International), noted: “We have strong fraud detection and prevention and data security controls in place. Where we identify any potential wrongdoing, we’ll investigate and take strong action against those responsible by prosecuting them and ensuring they’re brought to justice.”

Sumner went on to comment: “Royal Sun Alliance was the victim of a crime committed by an employee in this instance and we took swift action to protect our customers. We’re pleased with the outcome of the investigation and today’s judgement and sentencing.”