Crime is everywhere and around us. Not all crimes require the use of stun guns or pepper spray to launch a potential assault or robbery. Some crimes are perpetrated by white collar or blue collar people who take advantage of others when they least expect it.

Many car accidents are simply insurance schemes designed to make the consumer pay higher premiums.

You are driving down the interstate when you are suddenly involved in a car accident. However, this is not just any car accident. You become the victim of a scheme to defraud your insurance company out of thousands of dollars. Nationwide, insurance companies shell out millions of dollars a year to defend against misleading car accident claims by people who profit from these claims. How do car insurance plans affect you? Who do you think pays the cost of insurance scams? YOU DO!

You can prevent potential auto accident fraud by educating yourself on the techniques being practiced today. Call your insurance provider if you think you have been scammed or witnessed a scam. An insurance provider might reward you for your efforts to provide such information.

Here is a list of schemes used today by many white collar criminals.

paper accident

A paper accident is when a criminal actively solicits others in the auto repair and salvage industry to participate in accidents that only occur on paper. Corrupt lawyers, doctors and insurance agents are also often part of this scheme. The perpetrator will knowingly keep the claim for less than $1,000 because most insurance companies will not investigate a claim for less than this amount.

Hit&Run

A “hit-and-run” is when a perpetrator reports a false hit-and-run to their insurance provider.

Slide and squat

Swoop & squat is when a perpetrator abruptly stops in front of a car (the swoop) and quickly slams on the brakes (the squat). One manages to move to the side of the target vehicle to prevent the trapped car from swerving out of the way. This is called “boxing” a vehicle. All the passengers in the squat car then report injuries which are later backed up by a crooked doctor or chiropractor.

sideswipe

This is a technique used in multiple turning lanes at an intersection. The perpetrator will continue to make multiple left turns until another car suddenly moves into the lane in which the perpetrator suddenly accelerates to force impact.

T bone

This procedure is normally carried out in the absence of hostile witnesses. The perpetrator sits and waits at an intersection and knowingly crashes into a car as he passes. When the police arrive to take an accident report, false witnesses suddenly show up and tell the officer that the victim ran a stop sign or red light.

wave

This tactic is normally done in heavy traffic and when there is a merge. The perpetrator greets the victim and pretends to yield the right of way. As the victim begins to merge into the lane, the perpetrator accelerates his car to force an impact. When the police arrive, the perpetrator falsely reports that he once yielded the right of way.

grim helper

This could happen after an honest car accident. A stranger approaches you after an accident and gives you the phone numbers for an auto repair shop, a lawyer, or a doctor. This could be a scam. The auto repair shop often adds to the cost of the repair, and the doctor may give you less clinical treatment than required or none at all. An attorney may try to convince you to sue the insurance company.

Most of the insurance schemes are done by experts who do a role play before committing the crime. They are usually very professional and skillful in their actions, but that does not mean that you cannot take steps to become a victim. The following is a measure that can be taken to change the lead to your side.

Keep a disposable camera, pen, and paper in the glove box. If you have a cell phone with a camera feature, this is perfect! An image can be a valuable tool in a car accident. After an accident, take a bunch of photos of each car, including the passengers. Get as much information about each person in the accident, including the names and phone numbers of witnesses. The pictures along with your notes will leave little room for the perpetrators to lie about the damage to your car and the injuries to your passengers afterwards. If you think an accident was staged, get some good details about the accident! Always protect yourself!

What should you do if you are involved in a car accident?

1. Exchange information with the driver.

2. Have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance handy.

3. Count the number of people in the car and get your:

• Names

• Address

• Phone number

• Note if they were wearing seat belts

• Note if the injured acted only after the police arrived on the scene

4. Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident.

5. Contact the police if you believe the accident is staged.

Remember. Even if you are not a victim of auto insurance fraud, helping insurance companies determine the crime of insurance fraud benefits you, the honest consumer. The consumer will end up paying for the cost of auto insurance through higher premiums. This is something that many people do not want to do.

What These Car Insurance Scams Can Cost You

stained record–Many insurance companies keep records of your driving history to gauge the risk of insuring motorists. Driving record is what determines your eligibility to be insured by the insurance company. Whether or not an accident is faked, your driving record will be affected.

Terrified, murdered victims–Fingered accidents for insurance claims are very dangerous to your health. It only takes one mistake from you or the perpetrators to take the lives of your loved ones.

Increased premiums–Everyone’s auto insurance premiums go up because the cost of false insurance claims is passed on to you, the honest consumer.