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For most people, the last thing motorists want to get into is an accident. But, unfortunately, for some motorists, being involved in a crash is their primary goal.
Every year, thousands of U.S. motorists are the unwitting participants of a staged auto accident, which is where another driver intentionally causes a crash in the hopes of bilking auto insurers out of fraudulent damage claims.
The ‘swoop and squat’
To avoid being hoodwinked by a potential scammer, Edmunds.com compiled a list of several things to keep in mind on an accident scene. Most of the tips were originally suggested by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The NICB reports one of the more common ploys used by auto insurance fraudsters is called the swoop and squat. In these scenarios, a vehicle comes out of nowhere by cutting in front of a person. Hoping the person cut off will follow closely behind them, the scammer slams on the brakes, forcing the tailing car to slam into the back of their vehicle.
To avoid this, Edmunds.com and NICB say it’s better to pull over to the side of the road, or into the nearest gas station, and let the would-be scammer continue driving.
Be meticulous about an accident’s details
In other accident scenarios, scammers hope the other person involved in the accident will be too naive to write down pertinent details which could lead an investigation if an auto insurance company finds the claim suspicious. Thus, after every accident, NICB and Edmunds.com says it’s important to be meticulous about the accident’s details. Insurance information should be exchanged, driver’s license and registration details should be shared and pictures should be taken of both vehicles. Police should also be contacted after an accident.
Finally, NICB and Edmunds.com says motorists should also be wary of people who appear to be officials, but who are, in fact, scammers-in-waiting. Thus, the website and advocacy group say to use one’s common sense and watch out for things which seem out of place, such as tow truck drivers who recommend specific services without being asked, or random people who offer their legal services.
Be wary of unsolicited service providers
Earlier this year, the NICB issued a release detailing how prevalent unsolicited service providers have become on accident scenes. Some of them make their presence known by contacting accident victims over the phone. According to the NICB, these solicitations occur when phony service providers attain the victim’s insurance information and then falsely identify themselves as a representative from their provider.
NICB says policyholders should consult with their provider when they sign up with the company to determine how the claims process works to prevent any confusion.
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- How Much Does My Car Insurance Increase if I Get Into an Accident?
- Increase in the number of suspicious auto insurance claims can lead to high premiums
