A Woman’s Story from Queens, NY
On October 16, 2024, a woman driving on the Belt Parkway in Queens, New York, encountered what appeared to be a coordinated insurance fraud attempt. Her story highlights how easily anyone could fall victim to such schemes and provides important lessons for staying safe.
While driving eastbound in the left lane toward the Southern State Parkway, she noticed a silver Honda (LBB 8917) in the middle lane. Suddenly, the car cut her off and slammed on its brakes, coming to a complete stop in an apparent attempt to make her crash into them. Luckily, she avoided the collision. However, the driver of the Honda then reversed into her car, intentionally causing a crash.
The Honda’s rear windshield was covered by a tarp, which fell off during the collision, revealing suspicious movements inside the vehicle. The male driver, wearing a hat, was seen switching seats with a passenger before exiting the car. Three passengers got out of the vehicle, pretending to be injured, while the driver slipped into a second car, a red KIA SUV (KJH 3340), which had been following at a safe distance. The red KIA picked up the original driver and quickly left the scene.
The woman noted that the remaining passengers’ behavior changed when they noticed her dashcam. They went from pretending to be hurt to focusing on taking pictures and videos of the damage. They quickly asked for her insurance information and left after the exchange. She called the police, but since there were no apparent injuries and both parties had exchanged details, the police informed her they would not come to the scene. At the time, she did not realize the incident was staged as a fraud attempt, only piecing together the details afterward.
Front Cam: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashpianatasha4/video/7426948659176099102
Rear Cam: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashpianatasha4/video/7426949783983590687
How to Protect Yourself from Insurance Fraud Attempts
- Stay Calm and Aware: In any situation like this, remaining calm is essential. Assess the circumstances carefully before reacting. Fraudsters may try to create confusion, so clear thinking is key.
- Dashcams Are Critical: This woman’s dashcam captured key details that helped her realize the accident was a setup. Installing a dashcam can serve as invaluable evidence if you find yourself in a similar situation.
- Document Everything: Always take photos and videos of the accident, including the cars, people, and surroundings. The more information you have, the stronger your case will be if fraud is involved.
- Contact the Authorities: Even if no one is hurt, it’s crucial to contact the police. If the police do not come to the scene, file a report yourself. Having an official record of the incident is essential, particularly in fraud cases.
- Be Cautious with Your Information: Fraudsters often try to rush through the exchange of information. Stay cautious and don’t hand over your insurance details until you’ve gathered enough information about them.
- Watch for Multiple Vehicles: Be aware of other vehicles around you. In this case, the red KIA SUV was part of the setup. Fraudsters may work in teams, so keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.
- Trust Your Gut: If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. In situations like these, trusting your instincts can help you avoid being manipulated.
Today’s Insight:
“Trust but verify.”