Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says there's an increase in a scam involving staged car accidents. It's called "crash for cash", and it's putting a dent into everyone's pocketbooks.
Walt McClure at the DMV says there has been an increase in these instances being reported around New York State in the last year.
"Obviously, you don't know what another driver is going to do, but we felt it was important just to make people aware, that we're seeing this happening, and to really think about their defensive driving skills," McClure said in an interview with WBEN. "Because obviously that is the best way to kind of keep you from getting into something like this."
He also recommends taking a defensive driving class, which can also reduce your insurance rates.
McClure says it's hard to say when you might be the victim of such a scam. He says it could be when it's time to make the insurance claim.
"That's one of the biggest issues that people are going to see because of people who commit fraud for whatever reason. It affects those of us who are doing the right thing on the road, and finding that our insurance premiums might go up," McClure noted.
That's what Dave Kirst from AAA of Western and Central New York is seeing.
"Over the last two years, it's gone up about 35% this year. We're about 14% over last year, but the year before that also had a significant increase," Kirst said with WBEN.
He adds there's been a 10% increase in insurance payouts. That's causing everybody to end up paying out more in insurance premiums.
Kirst also warns while you can do everything right, you could still be a victim.
"You can maintain that safe distance. You can go slow around other vehicles. But at the end of the day, if someone's looking to crash into your car and cause an accident, they probably will," Kirst noted.
Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns says he's been getting complaints about insurance premiums going up, and worse.
"I'm getting complaints from people who are being dropped by insurance companies because of so many claims," Kearns shared with WBEN. "They have an impact on our insurance claims. They have an impact on damages."
Kearns says scammers usually work in teams.
"Someone stops the vehicle in front, someone slams their brakes on, and then the other car is rear-ended, and that's where that occurs," he noted.
If you are in a crash, DMV recommends you:
- Call the police and your insurance company.
- Take photos of the damage to both cars.
- Get the other driver’s plate number and insurance information.
- Record the contact information of anyone in the other car.
- Don't give cash to the other driver.
- Be wary of tow trucks that you or law enforcement did not call.
- Be wary of anyone who suddenly appears at a crash scene to direct you to specific doctors or lawyers.
- File a crash report with the DMV.