New Variant of 'Crash-For-Cash' Scam On Britain's Roads

Insurers are warning about a new variation of so-called 'crash-for-cash' motor scam.

Crash-for-cash is a relatively well-known scam, in which a fraudster will slam on their brakes unexpectedly, causing the car behind to collide into them. (some will even remove or disable their brake lights so that other drivers have no warning or chance to react). They'll then make an insurance claim that exaggerates the damage caused to their vehicle so that they can get more money.

The new variation on the original scam sees fraudsters demanding cash on the spot from the other driver following the crash. Generally they will ask for a sum between £50 and £200.

Tom Gardiner, head of fraud at Aviva, told the Daily Mail: “Although it is early days, we are seeing anecdotal evidence of fraudsters deliberately causing an accident and then pressuring the target – or ‘at fault’ party – into paying them money in exchange for not making an insurance claim.

“We are concerned that fraudsters could end up targeting the most vulnerable motorists – the elderly, young drivers and women who are travelling alone or with young children.”

Mr Gardiner described the new trend of demanding on-the-spot payments as “bringing back the days of ‘highway robbery’”. Motorists were being intimidated, he said, and felt like they had no choice but to comply.

One reported incident even involved the scammer offering a motorist a lift to a cash machine so that they could withdraw cash.

Scammers are likely to make their fraudulent claim regardless of any cash exchanged at the scene. So if you pay up on the spot, you’re only increasing their profits. You may also be encouraging the scammer to repeat the tactic elsewhere, putting more drivers in harm’s way.

What to do if you’re involved in a car crash

 

If you’re involved in a car crash, alarm bells should start ringing if

• The other driver seems unusually calm 
• The other driver has their insurance details already written down for you to take.

What you should do...

• Keep a cool head.
• Don’t hand over any money
• don’t admit fault
• Take photographs if possible, from as many angles as you can.
• write down as much personal information as possible (if they’ll give you the information)
• Their name
• address
• contact telephone number  

• Don’t forget to also write down  the following details about their car
• the make
• model 
• registration number 
• number of people in their vehicle (photograph for proof)

The number of people in the vehicle is important as some scammers may later claim for injuries to passengers who weren’t actually present at the time.


As a matter of precaution, you might also want to install a dashcam in your vehicle. Some insurers are now accepting dashcam footage as evidence, and this may provide proof that an accident was caused deliberately by the car in front.

What to do after a suspected scam crash

 

If you think you’ve been targeted by a crash-for-cash scam, call the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) Cheatline on 0800 422 0421. This is a free and confidential way to report suspected insurance fraud, and your information could help the IFB build cases against organised criminal enterprises.
You should also call the police to report your suspicions.

Source http://home.bt.com