New Insurance Scam: flash for cash.

londonTiger

Just heard on the radio, that a lot of insurance accident scammers are now baiting people into driving out of a give way junction by flashing headlights and them slamming into them.

Have to be super careful especially given that the dashcam will not protect you here.

Also be careful of anyone whose indicating left to turn into the road you're coming out of. I just had a minor incident today when a car full of 3 men were indicating left to turn into the road I was coming out of.

Normally if I was in a rush I would pull out provided the car was sufficiently slowing down and far away that I could safely pull out.

In this case they were not slowing down and I got suspect because they were driving a bit too fast to turn in. So I didn't move and sure enough they drove straight on.

Could be completely innocent or could be scammers. Don't take indicators on face value

Rolandtheroadie

You shouldnt anyway.

londonTiger

Yes, but we've all been in the position where there is a car coming and it's flashing or indicating to turn in driving 5-10mph and you know that there's plenty of time to do your manoeuvre. Just be extra vigilant.

arcon5

What was even more worrying is I heard on the radio they was targeting parents with children in the car - for me this is taking fraud to a whole new level.

tasticz

its crazy lol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23722573

sarahg1969

Someone tried this on with me a number of years ago. He picked the wrong target. I shook my head and sat there, and the gentleman flashed me again. I reversed a little way back up the street to allow him more room to manoeuvre into the street. He didn't. he drove straight on.

These scammers quite often target lone young women, but they also like to target commercial vehicle drivers too, as they know that they'll be insured, the driver might not be too interested in what's happened, and there's less chance of the insurers going for a low-speed impact argument if a van or lorry is involved.

Watch out for reversing vehicles at roundabouts and junctions too.

jobdone1

Looks like the dash cam has had its day. Time to install a 360 degree camera thus protecting you from fraud.

Strider590

Flashing is just like using the horn, it's to warn others of your presence, if they haven't come a virtual stop DONT MOVE......

When in doubt, boot it out... If they hit the back of your car, their scam backfires in their face. Except because it's mostly organised gangs doing this, the chances are they won't have their own insurance.

sarahg1969

Strider590 wrote: »

Flashing is just like using the horn, it's to warn others of your presence, if they haven't come a virtual stop DONT MOVE......

When in doubt, boot it out... If they hit the back of your car, their scam backfires in their face. Except because it's mostly organised gangs doing this, the chances are they won't have their own insurance.

They generally do stop really close to the junction then touch the front of your car as you pull out. They don't want to risk actually getting injured.

Strider590

sarahg1969 wrote: »

They generally do stop really close to the junction then touch the front of your car as you pull out. They don't want to risk actually getting injured.

Yes, but I don't move until they're half way around that corner. It's a few seconds, what advantage are you getting by moving off before they get into that turn?

I think there's an element of trying to be polite, someone is letting you out therefore you feel you must go. These gangs are not (as far as im aware) native British, they're using our "Britishness" against us.

martmonk

Strider590 wrote: »

Yes, These gangs are not (as far as im aware) native British, they're using our "Britishness" against us.

Wow - just throw in a bit of 'casual racism' why don't you?

Have you any basis in fact for that claim?