by magpam » Thu Apr 09, 2009 02:09 am
My mother just got a phone call today from an auto insurance company that said 7 months ago she was involved in a car accident and needs to pay $400.00. Ok.. here's the deal. Why would you wait 7 months? She was NOT in a car accident 7 months ago. They are only giving her the date and intersection. No other information and they want her to pay. She contacted her insurance company and they want to come out and take pictures of her car.
What kind of scam is this???? Why would you wait 7 months? The burden of truth should be on the other driver, not her. Now she has to prove she WASN'T there. They have NO proof she was.
Has anyone heard of this kind of scam and how and where would we report this?
What kind of scam is this???? Why would you wait 7 months? The burden of truth should be on the other driver, not her. Now she has to prove she WASN'T there. They have NO proof she was.
Has anyone heard of this kind of scam and how and where would we report this?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 03:01 am Post Subject:
I doubt its a scam. While it usually does not take 7 months, it can... and certainly the time does not change anything. Is it possible that someone else was using her car? Perhaps someone in the family?
Yes, the other party needs to prove that your mothers car was in the accident. I'm guessing the info is on a police report. I doubt that they are just going to choose a vehicle at random.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 03:17 am Post Subject:
No chance anyone else was using her car. She lives with her Mother who is 94 and that's it. Just seems really strange that they would wait 7 months and then come after such a small amount and she was never even in an accident. Almost sounds like Identity theft. Maybe they are trying to gain all the info on her. Just weird but thanks for you input.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 03:50 am Post Subject:
It might be true that a car registered by your mother's name got in an accident 7 months ago. But, it can be there is another person involved and your mother has nothing to do with it. If the insurance company got an evidence regarding with the involvement of your mother's name in an accident, then you must prove that your mother or anyone in the family has nothing to do with it. Anyway, you just said that you dont have proof. The best thing to do is to consult this to a legal advisor so that appropriate actions will be made.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 04:34 am Post Subject:
Hi magpam
I can understand this is really disturbing. If you are sure your mom wasn't involved in any car accident 7 months ago, you can ask the other party to show you proof. They must have made a police report after the accident. I believe they must be able to give your mom's car's number. They must have some proof. They cannot simply give any one a call one fine day and charge them money faking an accident.
See magpam, to be able to prove an accident the other party will need
They may also have other evidences that they can provide. Ask for evidence and in the mean time you can track back 7 months and find out what happened or where your mom was during the accident. You will need legal help so look for a good atty.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 09:02 am Post Subject:
Hi,
I think this is scam because if this is real why they not inform you from last 7 months.
But Try to remind that your mom have not get any auto Insurance policy in past.
If yes, You must contact this company & notice that case.
If no, You need to take help of Police & any of your other insurance company to catch the scam. If you give complaint in police they will find out the persons who tried to scam you.
Don't Pay to anyone before you not confirm that this is not scam
Thanks. :lol:
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:44 pm Post Subject:
Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. I am just feeling very protective of my Mom and want to make sure no one takes advantage of her. Thanks again.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 01:01 pm Post Subject:
i understand that you're probably annoyed that the insurance company is trying to make your mum pay for an accident only after 7months. what i'd say is that it can take quite some time (possibly 7months too!) for the insurance company to go through alot of paperwork involved.
what disturbed me was that you mentioned that your mum wasn't involved in any accident 7months ago. are you sure about this? double check with your mum, and if you're affirmative, get back to the insurance company and ask them to provide evidence that you're mum is involved in an accident 7months ago and that she's at fault. get them to show you any police report, medical report or photo evidences.
i hope this issue can be resolved soon :) good luck!
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 01:48 pm Post Subject:
.
.
magpam,
First... has anyone checked to see if there is any sign of Accident Damage on your Mom's car? Likely if she caused $400.oo worth of damage to someone's car there would be damage to her car also.
As for....
See magpam, to be able to prove an accident the other party will need
police reports
statement from witnesses
photographs of the scene of accident
photographs of the damaged vehicle)
medical records
records of any long term injuries that someone might have incurred due to the accident
What if an experienced Con-Man that damaged his/her car in an accident that was not covered because he/she did not have Collision coverage, and decided to pick a random car out of many on the roadway. Write down its license plate number and a brief description of that car.
Then tell his insurer he/she was hit by a hit & run driver.
Contact the police and submit a report.
Have his/her Con-man buddy be a witness
Hit & Run... no chance to take Photos
Only property damage [no injuries]
Police provide con-man with identity of scam victim
Con-man files claim against her insurer
Could that be a possibility??
I don't know, but maybe the experienced Adjusters on this site could offer their opinions.
That's my 2¢ worth for now. ( maybe ± a couple ¢ ) :)
FK,
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 05:00 am Post Subject:
One would think (or at least this one) that if someone filed a hit and run complaint with the police and had the other drivers plate that at least a phone call would have been made by the police to the owner of the car.
I hit a lady in a parking lot in college. Backed out of a spot and into her, and ran her red pin stripe down the side of her white van. Got out and told her that I would call campus security, but she was in a hurry and just wanted my name and phone number. (no damage to my 86' steel truck bumper). I got a call from her insurance comapny 6 months later wanting to know if I was going to pay for the damage. Basically I told them to stick it as she didn't want to wait around, I didn't know how many things she hit between now and then, and I felt she was speeding through the lot. Adjuster hung up and I never heard from them again. So it can take time for another insurance company to call and 7 months is not unheard of.
OP. I would agree, have them send you proof. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE.
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 01:10 pm Post Subject:
OP, you have mentioned that apart from your mom nobody uses the car (she lives with her 94 yrs old mom ) So there is no possibility of anyone taking the vehicle and then some accident due to that.
Now just ignore that phone call and if at all they call you back and ask for the information i.e. CC, insurer then just ask them the proofs what they have and ask them to send it on your mail or in physical by certified mail.
i hope if they have anything legit they will further respond if not they will never call you again.
But i am sure it is a SCAM
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