Author Topic: Latest car scam  (Read 1086 times)

Kremmen

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Latest car scam
« on: September 30, 2021, 09:13:04 AM »
I get regular updates from the Met and this is the latest :

Quote

Alleged wing mirror damage - bogus claims
29 Sep 2021, 12:42pm

Two incidents have been drawn to our attention of a claim for damages being made against the driver of a vehicle, whereby a third party has falsely alleged that a wing mirror has been damaged, and a claim then made against the innocent party.
The most recent incidents were in the Eastcote area, but this type of scam could occur anywhere across our area, and this message is being circulated Borough-wide to raise awareness.
One way in which this scam can unfold is that you pass a parked vehicle and hear a loud bang against your own vehicle, which is in fact caused by someone striking it with an object as you pass them. They then follow you and flash their lights, and you stop and engage with them.
An advanced version of this scam has the driver of the other vehicle moving to the passenger side of your vehicle and pushing your mirror in towards the passenger door, usually as you are getting out.
In all variants they will show you their own broken driver’s side mirror, to convince you that you are at fault.
Advice to follow in this situation:
You will nearly always know whether your mirror has definitely struck someone else’s, but a key method of proving what actually happened is to use a dashcam which will show the scammer’s vehicle with a broken offside mirror before you actually pass it.
Remember to make sure that your dashcam is working and has a full view of the road straight ahead, to capture parked vehicles.
These matters need to be reported to the Police please – this can be done online, and you should do this as soon as possible after the event to protect your own position by creating a written record of the event, date and time to refer back to.
It’s important to get the make, model and colour of the other vehicle involved, and the registration number, together with a full description of the person making the false claim.
Let's be careful out there !

Neil Ives

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Re: Latest car scam
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2021, 09:34:01 AM »
I'd like a dashcam. I will need to use great skill to persuade wifey that we need one.
Neil Ives

madasafish

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Re: Latest car scam
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2021, 12:09:25 PM »
I'd like a dashcam. I will need to use great skill to persuade wifey that we need one.

I have a £30 cheapie one. Works like a dream.. (5 years old)

Neil Ives

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Re: Latest car scam
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2021, 09:05:28 PM »
If someone tries this nonsense I'll tell them my car has a camera and I'll be sharing the footage with the police.
Neil Ives

Kremmen

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Re: Latest car scam
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2021, 02:45:16 AM »
Quote
Further to the recent message regarding the broken wing mirror scam, this yielded a very significant response showing that this scam has been going on for a long period of time.

If you experience this scam the Police ask this to be reported directly to Action Fraud please.

The responses elicited a number of key features:

The cost of the alleged damage is nearly always £450

Drivers report hearing a "bang" (caused by a water bottle or some other missile being thrown at the front nearside of your vehicle) shortly before being pulled over by the perpetrator (by flashing their lights, blaring their horn etc) who often allege they will report you to the Police for "failing to stop" after an accident.

Pressure is then put on you to pay this immediately, to the extent that some have even been pressured to drive to an ATM, followed by the perpetrator(s).

Appropriate response:

If the person alleging the damage becomes threatening, ring 999.  We have received multiple reports that threatening behaviour is definitely happening as part of this scam.

If you are able, get the full details of the person making the allegation - Name address, phone number, vehicle make and registration and insurance company details.

If possible take a photo of the alleged damaged wing mirror, and of the perpetrator if possible, without putting yourself at risk.

DO NOT under any circumstances be pressured into paying up there and then.

Notify your own insurer of the allegation making it clear that there has been no collision, that there is no damage to your own vehicle and that you suspect it’s a fraudulent claim.

The above will give you time to take stock of what has happened.
Let's be careful out there !

Lord Voltermore

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Re: Latest car scam
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2021, 04:57:40 PM »
I'd like a dashcam. I will need to use great skill to persuade wifey that we need one.
Try to persuade her  . I have had one for awhile  ,and have even  persuaded wifey (aka santa claus) that i need a new one for the new car.

It can help disprove scams such as this wing mirror one, or the insurance fraud when they drive in front of you in an old banger then slam on the brakes hoping for a rear end shunt, whiplash compensation etc. Newish cars  and older drivers are a prime target for this.

In the event of a collision it can help prove  blame.   Young drivers and older drivers are sometime assumed to be the guilty party.      The downside of this is it can also prove you are guilty and police may seize it as evidence.

I found, initially at least, that I was driving on my best behaviour because the dashcam was watching.

If you have any little incidents you can replay it at home to see if you could have reacted quicker or done things differently. And curse and condemn the other idiot all over again.  Assuming you are aware of every incident.   By replaying your own driving now and again, at leisure and with an honest and critical eye  you might realise you are missing things and not driving as defensively  as you could.
   This applies to drivers of all ages and experience.

And very occasionally something really dramatic, or diabolical  may  happen in front of you  which it would be good to have on camera, to share with friends or the police.  . I found it fun putting a few bits on you tube.
  Trust a dog to guard your house  , but not your sandwich

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