H.R. 10269House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 4, 2026 at 9:21 AM UTC

The Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 adds a new federal crime for people who stage or fake motor‑vehicle accidents and then file false insurance claims. It makes such conduct punishable by fines and imprisonment, with harsher penalties if the scheme causes serious injury or death. Fines collected under the new offense are directed to the Highway Trust Fund.

Key Provisions

Creates a new offense called “motor vehicle collision fraud” that covers knowingly staging, fabricating, or simulating a car accident and submitting false insurance claims for damages, medical costs, lost wages, or benefits.
Sets penalties of up to 10 years in prison and/or fines for standard violations; up to 20 years if the fraud results in serious bodily injury; and life imprisonment or any term of years if it results in death.
Requires any fines imposed under this new offense to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

September 3, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 3, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

September 3, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 3, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10269

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 3, 2026

Ms. Gillen (for herself, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Gottheimer, and Mr. Fong) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18 to include an offense for motor vehicle collision fraud, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026.

Motor vehicle collision fraud

(a)

Offense

(1)

In general

Chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

1353.

Motor vehicle collision fraud

Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme or artifice—

(1)

to cause, stage, fabricate, or simulate a motor vehicle accident; and

(2)

to submit any false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss under an insurance policy, including a loss related to medical treatment, repair costs, lost wages, or lost benefits,

shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. If the violation results in serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of this title), such person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both; and if the violation results in death, such person shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

1353. Motor vehicle collision fraud.

(b)

Criminal fines deposited in highway trust fund

Any fines collected under section 1353 of title 18, United States Code, shall be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund established by section 9503(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.