Possible scam letter from police

DullGreyGuy

luvchocolate said:

Told she couldn't phone to discuss but could check details online for £140.

Who told her this? Its presumably not in the letter given the letter has now been confirmed as a genuine producer 

Is it possible she has somehow gotten the wrong end of the stick?

As to producers, its all very mechanical... hit and run (rarely as dramatic as it sounds) in a carpark, reg is caught by someone and passed to the victim. They report it to the police who look up the details of the keeper and send a producer to them.

Could be
1) Your friend was there, did damage another car and didnt realise 
2) Someone with a similar registration plate was there and it was noted down wrong, someone has misread the handwriting on the note, a call centre agent has miss heard/typed it, it was only partial reg and they've guessed at what the rest of it was
3) Someone else was using your friends car, did the damage and didnt tell them
4) Someone has cloned plates and did the damage
5) Your friend is lying

Having dealt with motor claims for years have seen all of the above countless times. 

Car_54

Wonka_2 said:

so @luvchocolate - what did the letter actually say ? Having made a strong accusation of 'scam' you're now avoiding/deflecting the topic

IIRC on receiving an NIP you don't automatically get the right to the additional evidence now - you either accept the fixed penalty or you can recieve the additional evidence if you opt for court (obviously with a higher risk/penalty)

Has your 'friend' misunderstood ??

It's difficult to tell from this second-hand account, but it doesn't sound like a NIP, not least because none is required in the circumstances.

If it is a s172 request, which seems likely, the OP's friend needs to be sure to reply in writing - regardless of any other interactions with the police - or risk six points and a large fine.

Wonka_2

Car_54 said:

Wonka_2 said:

so @luvchocolate - what did the letter actually say ? Having made a strong accusation of 'scam' you're now avoiding/deflecting the topic

IIRC on receiving an NIP you don't automatically get the right to the additional evidence now - you either accept the fixed penalty or you can recieve the additional evidence if you opt for court (obviously with a higher risk/penalty)

Has your 'friend' misunderstood ??

It's difficult to tell from this second-hand account, but it doesn't sound like a NIP, not least because none is required in the circumstances.

If it is a s172 request, which seems likely, the OP's friend needs to be sure to reply in writing - regardless of any other interactions with the police - or risk six points and a large fine.

Oops sorry - edited my post re S172 vs NIP

Aretnap

NBLondon said:

luvchocolate said:

Update...surprised to tell you the police have seen letter and confirmed it's genuine. 

They are now investigating

If the alleged accident took place on private land (a supermarket car park) would the police be bothered?  Maybe only if there was an injury.

A supermarket car park is a public place for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act. The police will take an interest in a hit and run there.

That said it would certainly be better if the OP's friend could post here herself as it did feel like there's an element of Chinese Whispers going on.

TooManyPoints

That said it would certainly be better if the OP's friend could post here herself as it did feel like there's an element of Chinese Whispers going on.

Indeed. Send three and fourpence - we're going to a dance!  

SpudGunPaul

Wonka_2 said:

so @luvchocolate - what did the letter actually say ? Having made a strong accusation of 'scam' you're now avoiding/deflecting the topic

IIRC on receiving an S172 you don't automatically get the right to the additional evidence now - you either accept the fixed penalty or you can recieve the additional evidence if you opt for court (obviously with a higher risk/penalty)

Has your 'friend' misunderstood ??

You're wrong there, there's been an accident and most likely the police will want to interview if they wish to proceed. That would involve some disclosure and they driver questioned about the evidence they have. That obviously would be before any decision about court. 

TooManyPoints

...there's been an accident and most likely the police will want to interview if they wish to proceed. That would involve some disclosure and they driver questioned about the evidence they have.

They might want to. But first, of course, they have to establish who the driver was. That's where the s172 notice comes in. All the police need is a suspicion that the driver of a particular vehicle has committed an offence which is covered by s172. They can then serve a request on the Registered Keeper (or anybody else they suspect may have been the driver). They need provide no evidence and the notice must be responded to satisfactorily within the 28 days allowed or the recipient commits an offence under s172.

Only then can the police decide what action they want to take. It may be the offer of a course or fixed penalty (in which case it is still not necessary for them to provide any evidence). Or they may (as is often the case in "supermarket scrapes") simply leave the insurers to sort it out.