Police issue warning over “staged” car accident scam
Shropshire motorists are being warned to be on their guard against insurance fraudsters who "stage" car accidents.
The warning comes from police following several incidents on the A41 near Albrighton where drivers have narrowly avoided a collision with a vehicle in front.
They believe the incidents might be deliberate attempts to cause an accident as part of a scam in making fraudulent insurance claims.
Police are urging motorists to stay alert and to ensure there is a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front. They are also urging motorists to note the registration numbers of any vehicles they think might be involved.
A motorist contacted police yesterday saying: "A few weeks ago, I was driving along the A41 near Wyvale Garden Centre when the lead car turned off very abruptly causing the three cars behind to brake very suddenly. We thought nothing of it but my daughter has advised me that exactly the same thing happened to her on Saturday.
"We are now thinking it is a whiplash scam where the lead car turns off suddenly causing the car behind, which is in on the scam, to brake suddenly, hoping that a car ploughs into them so they can make a whiplash claim."
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "This may be a scam or it might just be an incident of bad driving. However, such staged incidents have occurred in various parts of the country previously so people should be on their guard.
"We advise drivers to keep a camera or camera phone handy together with pen and paper, so if you are involved in a collision, record as much detail as possible, especially the registration numbers of any vehicles you suspect. If you are suspicious, then call the police even if no-one is injured."
