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Uninsured Driver left a mobile number...

Hi

My girlfriends car was hit whilst parked on the side of the street. The person who did the damage left a mobile number, but when we call it the person answering denies all knowledge. The note looks like it was written with some care and the number is clear.

We've reported it to the police and insurer, but the police weren't that interested in doing anything. Where do we stand? Fully comp luckily so have to pay an excess, but what can be done with the mobile number?

Thanks
LBM 1/1/2013: £2500 od £10929 loan £5000ish loan
£3679 CC £4490 CC £2766 CC £227 CC £2638 CC
£32229 in total, Starting weight 19st 8 lbs Current weight 19st 8lbs Target 15st something

Comments

  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    Where do we stand? Fully comp luckily so have to pay an excess, but what can be done with the mobile number?

    Not a lot if the owner denies knowing anything about it.


    Looks like the culprit put the note there (complete with false number) to satisfy any witnesses he/she was doing the right thing.
  • Obukit
    Obukit Posts: 670 Forumite
    Stupid question but have you tried Googling the mobile number and seeing if you can track down the name/address it links to? I had a very similar situation once, managed to track down the person after a bit of Google sleuthing. Went around to their house and they had a car with matching damage where they had hit me.

    Gave the name and address and car details to the police, she ended up admitting to being uninsured and failing to stop, paid £300 compensation when she was convicted. The police are useless but if you give them an address they might be more helpful. Of course, they could have left a different mobile number, but worth a shot.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,641 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You dont know if the number given was actually 1 that belongs to the driver who hit the car, the driver could have left a random number.
  • More than likely the driver wrote the note because someone was nearby and he didn't want them calling the old bill. Probably a random phone number.

    Not much you can do about it.
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  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    How do you know the driver was uninsured?
  • stormbreaker
    stormbreaker Posts: 2,289 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    No evidence. Nothing you or the police can do. Thankfully you are fully comp.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,374 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You could knock on a few doors in the area to see if a witness comes forward with the Registration number of the third party.

    Are there any CCTV cameras in the area ?
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • No CCTV unfortunately, and I don't know for sure if they were uninsured or not just made an assumption, but could be trying to avoid higher premiums of course. tried googling the number but no joy.

    Note reads:

    "I am the person who has damaged your car! I'm really sorry but we did try knocking on doors but couldn't locate you!

    Please call me on xxxxx as soon as you get this note!

    Sorry again!"

    Sounds genuine but on ringing the number they deny all knowledge. I'm trying to think of ways to get their name or address but am stumped so far.

    Details given to police and insurers but not sure how far they will try to take it.
    LBM 1/1/2013: £2500 od £10929 loan £5000ish loan
    £3679 CC £4490 CC £2766 CC £227 CC £2638 CC
    £32229 in total, Starting weight 19st 8 lbs Current weight 19st 8lbs Target 15st something
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    The number is probably made up.

    This sounds like a variation of the note left on a car that said:

    "The person who saw me hit your car thinks I'm leaving you my details as they watch me write this note to you"
  • thenudeone
    thenudeone Posts: 4,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You could try a private detective but there's not much chance of finding the person, let alone proving anything.
    We need the earth for food, water, and shelter.
    The earth needs us for nothing.
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    We belong to the Earth
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