As part of a new crackdown on drivers who register their cars out of state when they should be registered in Massachusetts, police in Haverhill are reviewing accident reports from the last year and are prepared to charge violators with insurance fraud.

Police spokesman Sgt. John Arahovites said Detective Glenn Fogarty is the department's new insurance fraud investigator and that he will review hundreds of accident reports involving vehicles with New Hampshire license plates.

"Regardless of who was at fault, if you end up in an accident and you file an insurance claim, we're going to charge you with fraud," Arahovites said. "In addition, we're very much aware of several people in the city who've registered their vehicles in New Hampshire."

Several weeks ago, the Lawrence insurance fraud task force announced it will now bring criminal felony charges against those who make false claims about their place of residence when involved in an accident.

Lawrence police Chief John Romero said in his city there are a number of people who have been willing to risk a $500 citation to save potentially thousands of dollars in insurance costs, as well as excise taxes to his city and the state vehicle sales tax and vehicle registration fees.

Haverhill tax collector Mary Beth Roy said excise tax generates millions of dollars per year in revenue for the city.

Police in Haverhill are now encouraging members of the public to call a police tip hot line to report vehicles that may be registered out of state improperly. Residents who use phony addresses to save on their car insurance are a problem that border communities like Haverhill and Methuen have been fighting for years.

In the past two weeks, police in Haverhill have received more than 100 calls from residents reporting vehicles that may be improperly registered out of state.

Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro said his department will be working closely on the insurance fraud issue with the district attorney's office as well as the Registry of Motor Vehicles, insurance companies and the insurance fraud task force.

"When you start charging people with insurance fraud, it will send a message that it's better to be in compliance than try to save a few dollars," DeNaro said. "Our program isn't looking so much at staged accidents, but we will look at who's had accidents, and where they had the accidents."

DeNaro said Fogarty will review 585 accident reports from the past year that involved at least one vehicle registered in New Hampshire.

"This will involve an incredible amount of paperwork, foot work and documentation," DeNaro said.

Who's at risk

New Hampshire residents who drive their vehicles to Massachusetts 30 days a year or more, to work for example, must be insured. If not insured, they risk being charged with driving an uninsured vehicle.

Massachusetts residents who register their vehicles out of state to avoid paying excise and sales tax and higher insurance rates. Improperly registering your vehicle could result in having your vehicle towed, your plates confiscated and a $100 fine.

Massachusetts residents who register their vehicles out of state, are involved in an accident and file an insurance claim. They could be charged with insurance fraud, a felony.