| In the United States auto insurance fraud is | | | | turn lane. When the victim's vehicle drifts into the |
| becoming one of the biggest fraud problems this | | | | outer turn lane the criminal side swipes him. To |
| country is faced with. In this article we're going to | | | | make sure the scheme works the criminal does |
| discuss some of the more common auto | | | | preliminary surveillance to make sure that the |
| insurance fraud scams and what somebody can | | | | intersection is busy enough where drifting will |
| do to prevent them.Today one of the most | | | | occur because of the amount of traffic.Another |
| popular insurance fraud scams involves auto | | | | common auto accident scam is what is known as |
| insurance and auto accidents. More specifically, | | | | the Panic Stop. In this scheme the criminal drives |
| staged auto accidents. These have actually | | | | a late model car filled with a lot of passengers. |
| become quite complex to the point where they | | | | The criminal will then position himself in front of |
| involve multiple participants. There are many | | | | the victim and have one of the passengers look |
| variations of these. We'll cover the main ones | | | | out the back window watching to see for any |
| here.First there is what is called the swoop and | | | | signs of distraction such as answering a cell phone |
| squat. This scam involves three vehicles. Two are | | | | call or changing a station on the radio. Any sign |
| driven by the criminals and the third is driven by | | | | that the victim is taking his eyes off the road. |
| the victim. The driver of the "squat" vehicle | | | | Once this happens the passenger signals the |
| positions himself in front of the victim. The person | | | | driver who then slams on the brakes thus causing |
| driving the "swoop" vehicle pulls ahead of the | | | | an accident. The victim will claim that the criminal |
| squat vehicle and intentionally cuts the vehicle off. | | | | stopped short for no apparent reason but usually |
| This causes the driver of the squat vehicle to | | | | to no avail. In the meantime the victim has to pay |
| slam on his brakes and stop short. Usually, the | | | | for all damages and injuries reported.Unfortunately |
| victim can't react quickly enough and rams into | | | | there is only one way to avoid these type of |
| the squat vehicle. In the meantime, the swoop | | | | accidents and that is to be observant at all times |
| vehicle that caused the accident takes off and is | | | | and keep a safe distance from any vehicle ahead |
| never seen again. The victim tells police that the | | | | of you. The sad truth is, if all motorists would just |
| swoop vehicle caused the accident, but because | | | | obey the speed and distance laws and rules, |
| that vehicle can't be located the victim ends up | | | | accidents like these would never happen. But |
| having to pay for the damage and any personal | | | | people drive too fast and too close and thus |
| injury claims.Then there is what is known as the | | | | these type of frauds will always be pulled off. |
| side swipe. This type of accident usually happens | | | | Drive safe and smart and your chances of being |
| at busy intersections with dual left hand turn lanes. | | | | the victim of auto insurance fraud will be greatly |
| The criminal positions his vehicle in the outer left | | | | diminished. |