Drivers are being warned to watch out for a new ‘clip for cash’ scam which has seen fraudsters targeting pensioners and young motorists.
The new con is a twist on the ‘traditional’ crash for cash scam which sees fraudsters deliberately causing a collision.
Now conmen are accusing drivers of clipping their wing mirror before becoming threatening and demanding cash up front.
The con often takes place on a residential road, according to police. As the victim drives by slowly, the fraudster is parked in their car and hurls an object like a rock at the side of the victim’s car to make an impact sound.
The victim is flashed by the fraudster’s car to get them to stop, before being accused of clipping a wing mirror, which had already been damaged.
The con often takes place on a residential road, according to the police. As the victim drives by slowly, the fraudster is parked in their car and hurls an object like a rock at the side of the victim’s car to make an impact sound (stock image)
The scammer then demands the driver hands over cash or pressures them into visiting a cashpoint.
In some instances where the victim has refused to hand over money, the offender has become physically intimidating, investigators have said.
The warning of the scam was issued by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), alongside several insurers.
Ursula Jallow, director at IFB, said: ‘Clip for cash is an increasing threat to drivers.
‘These fraudsters trick innocent motorists into thinking they’ve caused genuine damage and then apply pressure tactics to get victims to hand over cash.
‘As there is little awareness of this new fraud type, it means drivers are more susceptible to falling victim. We’re urging everyone to look out for the warning signs of these wing mirror stings and report it to Cheatline and Action Fraud.’
The con was detected in London in 2021, but the IFB and IFED said they have since seen the ‘clip for cash’ scam spread to other parts of the UK, including in the South West and Wales.
More than 40 incidents are being investigated, authorities have said. But the fear hundreds more could be taking place without being reported.
Ursula Jallow, director at the Insurance Fraud Bureau, warned the cons were on the rise across the country and is urging people to be aware of the scam
Detective Inspector Philip Corcoran at IFED said: ‘Crash for cash scams pose a real safety risk to the public, so it is concerning to see these fraudsters evolve their tactics to target more unsuspecting drivers.
‘Nobody should pressure you into handing over money at the scene of a collision. If you suspect you have fallen victim to this scam, report it to IFB’s Cheatline and to Action Fraud.’
Regardless of whether a genuine collision has taken place, money should never be handed over at the scene, police said.
If someone is accused of damaging a wing mirror, insurance details should be swapped as legally required. If there is an imminent risk of danger, police should be called.
If someone thinks they have been targeted, they should tell their insurer and local police force. They should also report their concerns to IFB’s Cheatline and Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service.
Ben Neyland, head of claims counter fraud at insurer Admiral, said: ‘Unfortunately, this insidious scam is becoming more commonplace. The tactics used by the fraudsters are intimidating and it would be frightening to be targeted by them.
‘One way to prevent people falling prey to the scam is to raise awareness of it.
‘Which is why it’s important for insurers to support the IFB and IFED in the campaign to spread the word about it. If you suspect you’ve been targeted by fraudsters with this scam, let your insurance provider know and report it to Cheatline.’
Matthew Stevens, anti-fraud director at Hastings Direct, said: ‘My advice to motorists is to never hand cash over at the side of the road, always report the incident to your insurance provider and to call the police if the other motorist becomes threatening.’
