It may be a coincidence, but the fact that two of the leading technology vendors with solutions to help insurancecarriers fightfraud have released new versions of their software within daysof each other seems to be a sign that carriers are pushingfor more ways to keep from throwing money away to cheats.

The need for better tools to fight fraud is never ending. Theonly thing you have to admire about those who commit insurancefraud is their commitment to their work. They are constantlylooking for new angles to beat the insurers, which is why carrierscan never afford to relax and think they have the upper hand ontheir counterparts.

The development of better software to fight fraud also isimportant because of the variety of fraud that impacts all lines ofbusiness. Fly-by-night construction companies ripping offhomeowners—and insurers—trying to recover from a devastatingnatural disaster may not have much to do with workers' comp cheatsor personal auto injury scams, but such widespread activity is whythe work of special investigation units is spread thin.

But fraud detection doesn't have to reside on a server in thehome office any more. Mobile technology—the bettermousetrap for virtually all that we do—is arming consumers withapps that have to make any insurance adjustor or SVU thankful forthe help.

Whether it is an app to check a contractor's license or one torecord auto accident information that may seem suspicious, thebattle is on to carve out some of the billions of dollars lostannually through illegal schemes.

 A little over a decade ago, I was new to this businessand I asked one of the editors of our company's FC&S Bulletinswhy so many insurers did not have an active fraud prevention planor special investigation units to uncover fraud.

"Many carriers look at fraud as the cost of doing business," hesaid.

Fortunately, that attitude has disappeared, thanks in large partto technology, which can now sort through the data insurers havegathered and apply analytics tools to discover links and trends ofthose who would cheat insurance carriers.

Of course, fraud cheats all of us since carriers usually find away to pass along their losses to consumers. In a world wherepeople commonly utter "I got mine," many people finally seeingbeyond their own greed, which can eventually save money for all ofus.