Moped crash scams around Barry Road/Underhill/Goodrich

[Katie B a]

I have had two separate incidents of moped drivers deliberately crashing into our car which I believe is part of a wider insurance scam. From what I can gather, they target female drivers who are alone or with kids in high value vehicles (of which I was one). On both occasions for me this involved a moped driver signalling to me to cross a junction and when I pulled away driving deliberately and at speed into the car.

Then Jumping up and immediately taking photographs and videos of the car. I’m expecting a bogus insurance claim to follow.

i’m posting this in part for awareness and also out of interest to see if it’s happening to other people. One of my friends has also been targeted in a similar way.

 

If this does happen, please report it to the police and your insurance company. Unfortunately, the police haven’t pursued, my cases and to be honest it doesn’t matter as no one was hurt and there was minimal damage, but this is dangerous practice and the more people that report it the more likely it is the action will be taken.

 

Has anybody witnessed this or had a similar thing happened to them? 

[KSTherapy]

the debate in parliament last week on "crash for cash".  https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9643da66-efcc-4a58-ba77-b2680a5b0f14,  Keep your eyes peeled! 

Edited May 25, 2024 by KSTherapy

[ianr]

And the transcript's at https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-05-22/debates/A0B7989C-F3E8-40D6-996A-97A464AAECF3/Crash-For-CashInsuranceFraud

[Happyme5]

Hi Katie, firstly I am sorry to hear about the incident and I glad that you were not hurt at all.   I did see a car and 2 mopeds one a deliveroo driver on Crystal Palace Rd a little while back.  One moped was on the ground and the other moped driver the deliveroo one appeared to be filming/photographing.  I didn't see any sign of anyone being injured.  It does sound like it could have been scammers.   It was early evening.  

Thank you warning us and Thank you to KS and Ian for the information.  Maybe people could report these incidents to appropriate ministers.

Edited May 26, 2024 by Happyme5
Error

[jouseph1987]

On 24/04/2024 at 14:49, Katie B a said:

I have had two separate incidents of moped drivers deliberately crashing into our car which I believe is part of a wider insurance scam. From what I can gather, they target female drivers who are alone or with kids in high value vehicles (of which I was one). On both occasions for me this involved a moped driver signalling to me to cross a junction and when I pulled away driving deliberately and at speed into the car.

Then Jumping up and immediately taking photographs and videos of the car. I’m expecting a bogus insurance claim to follow.

i’m posting this in part for awareness and also out of interest to see if it’s happening to other people. One of my friends has also been targeted in a similar way.

 

If this does happen, please report it to the police and your insurance company. Unfortunately, the police haven’t pursued, my cases and to be honest it doesn’t matter as no one was hurt and there was minimal damage, but this is dangerous practice and the more people that report it the more likely it is the action will be taken.

 

Has anybody witnessed this or had a similar thing happened to them?

Sorry to hear this . And yes this has happend to my sister . A driver slowly placed his moped on her car and filmed it then claimed that my sister has crashed into him . And the sad part is he won the case and received over £10k in payout . Seems like the insurance are not bothered and letting it happend .

[OutOfFocus]

On 24/04/2024 at 13:49, Katie B a said:

drivers who are alone or with kids in high value vehicles (of which I was one).

Not owning a high value vehicle sounds like obvious solution.

[vladi]

Presumably the perps reckon that high value vehicles will be more likely to be insured however in the UK only 4% of drivers are not insured so even my 20 year old jalopy might be vulnerable. Because of its age and the fact I never wash it means it is not in any way attractive to malcontents. 
So stay safe and never wash your car -just let the growth of green algae take over.

[ArchieCarlos]

Hi Katie,

I'm sorry to hear what happened to you. I have been worried something like this might happen to me and so I've had dash & rear cameras from Nextbase (https://nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/) installed in my car.

It cost me £160 + about £50 for a professional installation. No wires visible, no need to charge it (it's plugged into the car) and peace of mind should something like this happen. It turns on/off automatically when I start/switch off the car, and it also activates automatically if your car is parked and someone bumps into it.

I like that I don't need to do anything with it, but it's there if I ever need it.

Edited May 28, 2024 by ArchieCarlos

[Happyme5]

Brilliant idea 👍 👍 👍 👍 

[tinyidentity]

I had a similar experience with a moped on Landells Road last Thursday 1 August 2024 at 3pm. Portuguese speaking moped driver hit my car while I was pulling out from the kerb. He refused to provide ID or insurance details and when I suggested calling the police he rode off. But then I got a call from McAMS insurance the next day for a claim. I have reported it to police and will be getting front and rear dashcams installed. 

Edited August 6, 2024 by tinyidentity

[Happyme5]

Gosh it really is outrageous.  Can imagine how blinking frustrating this must have been.   Best idea to get dash cams.  

[alice]

If you are pulling out from the cub into the path of a passing vehicle, normally you would be at fault, but maybe I’ve read the situation wrongly

[Happyme5]

Yes this is a scam the bikes hit you on purpose and then they claim a huge chunk of insurance cash.   At your and everyone's expense.   If you follow the previous comments you will see 

[malumbu]

6 hours ago, tinyidentity said:

I had a similar experience with a moped on Landells Road last Thursday 1 August 2024 at 3pm. Portuguese speaking moped driver hit my car while I was pulling out from the kerb. He refused to provide ID or insurance details and when I suggested calling the police he rode off. But then I got a call from McAMS insurance the next day for a claim. I have reported it to police and will be getting front and rear dashcams installed. 

Have a close contact with similar experience.  Reported both as a scam and as careless driving.  I'll PM you separately.  Fortunately there were witnesses.  

[tinyidentity]

6 hours ago, alice said:

If you are pulling out from the cub into the path of a passing vehicle, normally you would be at fault, but maybe I’ve read the situation wrongly

This is how the scam works - road rules are that I am at fault, then they ask for cash to settle privately or claim excessive damage and injury from your insurance. I’m just posting here as I hadn’t heard of the scam before but when I did read up, the rider behaved exactly as previous scammers have. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2dS63qHHV2j241mLGngkZJD/moped-crash-for-cash-scam

[Rockets]

7 hours ago, malumbu said:

Have a close contact with similar experience.  Reported both as a scam and as careless driving.  I'll PM you separately.  Fortunately there were witnesses.  

Challenge is if you report this to your insurance company as a possible scam they log it as a potential claim on your account which impacts your premiums for three years.

[Happyme5]

Someone who knows about this scandalous professional scam.  Posted a link previously that mentioned a fact that this nasty crime which it is    has been noted in by MPs or such.   I think if we had the energy we could find the post on this forum.   The shame of it is a registered car owner is so open to being a victim of this unlawful scam.   And insurance companies just keep on allowing the scams to profit.  

The easiest way would be for the insurance companies to stand their ground and not payout in on scam claims.  That would put an end to it.  

What a radical idea.   For multi national corporate companies to stand up and beat the scammers.  Holding to their accountabilities.   Or are these companies happy to continue to rob the car owner.  And launder our cash.  Using the letter of the law     I did not intent to sound like a person who indulges in conspiracy type theories.   But maybe insurance companies are allowing fraudulent claims as a means of cashing in.  

[malumbu]

Insurance companies often adopt the path of least cost which is to pay up.  Worth complaining to insurers (ie they are facilitating fraud at a cost to you, their customer, resulting in higher premiums), and then escalating to the Financial Ombudsman, involving your MP at this stage.

You should also report to https://www.insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline

Whilst it is a crime it pales into insignificance with on line fraud, ID theft etc therefore more police resources there.

The situation that we are aware of has some hallmarks of fraud - rider did not reveal his face, English not a first language, no ID, immediately mobile in hand, ambulance chasers contact within hours, but no obvious accomplice, an older vehicle involved (ie not high end).  So perhaps just a rubbish rider not looking and/or distracted by their phone screen. 

[alice]

I do object to the use of the phrase ‘not having English as a first language’ as evidence of fraud. 

[malumbu]

It's relevant as it was not possible to explain or conclude the situation at the time so a material issue.  It is not asserting that those who don't have English as a first language are criminals, but I bet those at the top of the criminal ladder are happy to exploit those in the gig economy, many of whom wont speak good English. 

[Happyme5]

1

Edited August 7, 2024 by Happyme5
1

[Bob Buzzard]

Sorry to hear about this. Some people say it’s best to get one of those dinky webcams on your dashboard to discourage people from doing these types of collisions.

[mika1336]

I had been hit by a moped last September and even though been saying that he has hit me. The driver  was behaving weird taking photos , didn’t want to give me much of he’s details and on the phone with someone the whole time. Was told by insurance that if ever gone to court it’s difficult to prove otherwise and they will side with moped as they are smaller than the  car and as a driver should be more careful. Still ongoing and more likely will go 50/50 as have no witnesses and no camera too as I have said I might satisfy on that so get punished somehow eventhough it was his fault. 

[kck]

Theses guys are back in the Barry Rd area, A guy on a moped deliberately drove into me….Watch out. 

[Carilondon]

On 24/04/2024 at 13:49, Katie B a said:

I have had two separate incidents of moped drivers deliberately crashing into our car which I believe is part of a wider insurance scam. From what I can gather, they target female drivers who are alone or with kids in high value vehicles (of which I was one). On both occasions for me this involved a moped driver signalling to me to cross a junction and when I pulled away driving deliberately and at speed into the car.

Then Jumping up and immediately taking photographs and videos of the car. I’m expecting a bogus insurance claim to follow.

i’m posting this in part for awareness and also out of interest to see if it’s happening to other people. One of my friends has also been targeted in a similar way.

 

If this does happen, please report it to the police and your insurance company. Unfortunately, the police haven’t pursued, my cases and to be honest it doesn’t matter as no one was hurt and there was minimal damage, but this is dangerous practice and the more people that report it the more likely it is the action will be taken.

 

Has anybody witnessed this or had a similar thing happened to them? 

I would suggest to film them!