British skiers “leading fraud plague"

British skiers are reportedly leading a plague of fraudulent insurance claims relating to lost equipment, with French police ready to get tough on those breaking the law. According to a report in The Times, skiers “line up outside police stations on the final day of their holidays” in order to make claims. But up to 15 per cent of these claims are thought to be fraudulent – and British holidaymakers are cited as being the worst offenders because British insurance companies pay out so easily. Thierry Cailloz, head of the Savoie gendarmerie, is quoted as saying: “Every year, between 3,000 and 4,000 pairs of skis are declared stolen in this country alone and we estimate that, at the very least, 10 to 15 per cent of the claims are fraudulent. “It is not that we are targeting the British in particular, but it is a real plague. It is costing insurance companies money and wasting our time.” He added that, of 621 people who have reported skis stolen at least twice in the last three years, 90 per cent were from the UK or the Netherlands. Diane Palumbo, of the operator Skiworld, denies there is a problem. She is quoted as saying: I do not think British skiers are dishonest. We sell insurance packages and this has not been signalled to use as a problem.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd