October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Aviva

Aviva Urges Ofcom to Strengthen Action Against Online Ghost Broking

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Aviva is asking Ofcom and online platforms to tighten controls on fraudulent financial-services advertising, including by checking advertisers against relevant Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) permissions, removing fraudulent adverts faster and sharing intelligence with insurers and enforcement bodies. These are proposals in Aviva’s response to Ofcom’s consultation, published on 2 October 2026—not final rules or requirements already in force.

What Aviva wants Ofcom and online platforms to do

In its 2 October 2026 response to Ofcom’s consultation on Fraudulent Advertising Codes of Practice, Aviva supported stronger action against online insurance fraud. It urged platforms and authorities to:

  • Verify financial-services advertisers against the relevant FCA permissions.
  • Remove fraudulent content more quickly.
  • Contribute more proportionately to enforcement and victim support.
  • Share intelligence more closely with insurers, platforms, regulators, consumer groups and law enforcement.

Aviva UK Personal Lines chief executive Owen Morris welcomed the consultation as “an important step towards reducing the harm caused by fraudulent online advertising.” He warned that without new regulation and more coordinated enforcement, more people could fall victim to scams. Ofcom’s final rules and any effective date are not established by Aviva’s announcement.

What Aviva’s figures show—and what they do not

Aviva said its cease-and-desist notices to suspected ghost brokers had doubled and website takedowns had increased more than eightfold compared with 2025. The company did not give the underlying counts or detailed methodology in its 2 October 2026 announcement, so these figures describe Aviva’s reported enforcement activity, not the total scale of fraud in the UK. Aviva’s announcement also relayed FCA research saying 49% of young drivers had bought insurance through social media or messaging apps; the underlying FCA publication is not linked here.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.

Other Aviva figures use different sources and populations. In 2025, Aviva said cases of ghost broking it detected were up 22% since 2023 and more than 4% year on year. Its survey of 2,000 drivers aged 17–25 found 31% said they had bought car insurance through social-media platforms. Among young drivers who said they had bought a fake policy on social media, 84% reported problems. These are not interchangeable measures of a national trend.

In that 2025 survey, reported problems included incorrect policy details (24%), declined claims (24%), the seller disappearing (19%), police stops (16%) and identity theft (16%). The categories should not be added together as though respondents could report only one problem. In Aviva’s detected cases where relevant fee data was recorded, victims paid an average of about £2,000: an average £1,700 premium plus a £300 additional fee.

Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

Sources: Aviva’s 2025 report on ghost broking.

What ghost broking is and how it can leave you uninsured

Ghost broking is the fraudulent sale of fake or invalid motor insurance by someone posing as an intermediary. A scam can involve:

  • Documents for a policy that does not exist.
  • A genuine policy bought using false details, such as a different address or driving history, then passed to the customer.
  • A policy purchased using stolen bank details and resold to an unsuspecting driver.
  • A convincing-looking website that impersonates an insurer, collects personal information and payment, and supplies counterfeit documents.

In each case, a certificate or policy document alone may not prove that you have valid cover. The insurer may have no policy on record, or the details on a real policy may be wrong. Aviva warns that victims can face rejected claims and the consequences of driving without valid insurance, as well as identity fraud.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI), in its October 2025 submission to Ofcom, described fraudulent motor-cover adverts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. It also cited a pattern in which a genuine policy is cancelled soon after purchase: the fraudster seeks a refund but keeps the victim’s money. That account is the ABI’s description in an industry consultation response, not a regulator’s finding. Read the ABI submission to Ofcom.

How to check whether your car insurance is real

Use the checks for what each one confirms; no single check replaces confirming the policy and all its details directly with the insurer.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Check What it confirms
FCA Register Whether the broker is authorised for the relevant financial services.
The insurer, contacted independently Whether the policy exists and its details are correct.
Motor Insurance Database Whether the vehicle appears on the database.
  1. Look up the broker on the FCA Register. Use the register’s own details rather than relying only on contact information supplied by a seller.
  2. Contact the insurer using contact information you find independently. Ask it to confirm that the policy exists and that every detail is correct.
  3. Check the vehicle’s insurance record in the Motor Insurance Database.

Aviva’s consumer guidance sets out these verification steps and reporting routes. Read Aviva’s guide to ghost broking.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Warning signs when buying insurance online

  • An offer looks unusually cheap or a seller says they can secure cover at a price that seems too good to be true.
  • The seller communicates only through social media or messaging apps.
  • Payment is requested to a personal bank account.
  • The seller resists checks with the insurer or will not provide details you can verify independently.

A social-media advert is not automatically fraudulent. The key is whether you can independently verify the seller’s authorisation and confirm the policy with the insurer. Aviva’s advice to young drivers is to check that a seller is genuine before paying.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

What to do if you suspect you bought fake car insurance

  1. Contact the insurer named on the documents using independently found contact details. Ask whether the policy exists and whether its details are correct.
  2. Report suspected fraud to Report Fraud or the Insurance Fraud Bureau.
  3. Do not treat paperwork from the seller as proof of cover while the insurer’s records remain unconfirmed.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Read next

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.