BLM fraud experts explore social media

Two partners from BLM's national fraud team presented at Post Magazine's industry leading conference this month. Naomi Grant from BLM Manchester and Simon Hammond from BLM Birmingham delivered a topical talk on the use and impact of social media in the fight against fraud.  Taking place at the Millennium Hotel, London Mayfair the annual conference is well established amongst leaders in the field from the insurance sector.

The conference was attended by professionals such as claims managers, lawyers, marketing professionals, underwriters, procurement managers and IT specialist from many different sectors groups including local authorities, law firms, financial services companies and insurance firms along with representatives from the travel and motor industries.

The BLM presenters provided useful advice on social media and fraud - obtaining the evidence and avoiding the pitfalls. Within their presentation they covered a range of topics including utilising social media - DPA and IT Governance, converting intelligence into admissible evidence, avoiding the pitfalls and protecting your brand. They also addressed whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Their innovative presentation, which was well received by the delegates at the conference, incorporated an element of role play with the two partners taking opposing views in a good cop/bad cop scenario. The role play focussed on how evidence can be obtained and presented to court.

After the presentation many interesting questions were raised including how the impact of the ECHR affects the possibility of using such evidence, and also many questions surrounding the practical ways in which to obtain evidence from the various social media sites.