View Full Version : Barely tapped someone's car. How do I protect myself from extortion?
thepour64
Jul 16, 2011, 11:12 AM
This guy wanted $200 at the time, but there was no damage to either car. I laughed, gave him my insurance info and home number. I thought that was the end of that. Well Norman called me a month later stating he was seriously injured and he had a doctor and an attorney. So, either I pay him $510 or we'd go to court. I don't know what to do. I don't have the money and if I did, I'd use it making sure he never received a penny. I abhor people like Norman. It's one thing to be truly hurt and quite another "hurting" me by go through with a claim that is completely false. When I tapped his car--all he saw were $$$$. Is there anyone out there to give me advice? I am the type of person who would accept full responsibility if there were any kind of damages I caused, BUT I didn't and I don't think its right people like Norman make money in this manner. IT'S JUST WRONG! Thanking you in advance for guidance. Have a Nice Day!
Curlyben
Jul 16, 2011, 11:14 AM
That's what insurance is for.
If he wants to play silly games like this then that's who you point him at.
YOU have nothing further to say to him about this matter.
ballengerb1
Jul 16, 2011, 11:18 AM
I agree, stop talking to him. He has your insurance info and they should do all of the talking from here on out.
twinkiedooter
Jul 16, 2011, 11:19 AM
Did you contact your insurance carrier immediately about this alleged fender bender? If you did not, then do this immediately as Norman won't go away. Scam artists like him are rife within this country and your insurance company needs to know this as he will be filing a false claim on YOUR insurance policy.
Many years ago my late husband was in a similar situation. Only this guy insisted the police where called and the only damage was a dent in his hubcab! The cop called the ambulance and fraudguy went to the hospital. I had State Farm at the time and called them and told them there was no real damage to either cars. I thought that was the end of that. Not so. A few years later when I applied for new auto insurance with a different company I found out that this fraud guy had milked State Farm out of $6K in fraudulent medical bills for a chiropractor! Don't let this happen to you. Make sure you don't get dinged by this fraud. Some insurance companies nowadays check claims more carefully versus about 15 years ago. SF may be a good company with low rates, but they certainly got taken by that fraud big time. They NEVER contacted me again to dispute this fraud's medical problems. He just saw $$$ when it was uncalled for.
Stay on top of your insurance carrier on this matter and be sure they know Norman is a fraud.
thepour64
Jul 16, 2011, 11:24 AM
Thank you. I should've added I got a DUI in 2008 and just got my license. I completed all the requirements for the courts and DMV. I'd like to add on May 8, 2011 I celebrated 2 years of living clean and sober.
thepour64
Jul 16, 2011, 11:25 AM
Thanks--i'm worried because I don't want the insurance to cancel me and my significant other. He'll be really upset w/ me.
thepour64
Jul 16, 2011, 11:29 AM
twinkiedooter (love say it out loud) thank you--no, I didn't because I was sure what norman was up to. I wanted him to bury himself in his lies and then prove him a fraud. (ie) find out who the dr is and go for an appt with "injuries" and get the doc--or so-called doctor, too! Got to go, I need to be at work at 12:30. Will check if there are any additional posts when I get home. Bless You All! Marthe
twinkiedooter
Jul 16, 2011, 11:30 AM
thanks--i'm worried because i don't want the insurance to cancel me and my significant other. he'll be really upset w/ me.
If you contact them NOW and explain what happened they won't cancel you. BUT you should have had the cops called especially if Norman was trying to extort money from you immediately after the accident happened. This way the cop would have noted no damage to either vehicle. You can also take a photo of your car NOW to show that no repairs were made. Next time take photos yourself of the no damage with your cell phone of both cars. Scam artists likek Norman MAY just have an existing track record in the insurance company's shared info computer. He probably does. They will be able to access this informaiton, not you.
It's up to your insurance company to catch Norman, not you. They will have the info of what doctor, etc through the claims.
Contact your agent ASAP on this!
Wondergirl
Jul 16, 2011, 11:48 AM
I can't emphasize this enough -- contact your insurance agent. It will be much, much worse if you don't, and Norman goes after your company for payment for all sorts of fraudulent medical bills. Be sure your insurance agent knows the extent of the damage. Norman could add more damage to his vehicle and claim your vehicle did it. Your insurance company will take photos of both vehicles' damage now before Norman can tamper with the evidence.
Fr_Chuck
Jul 16, 2011, 12:39 PM
If Normal really had an attorney the attorney would be writing and calling, Well actually filing with your insurance company.
You need not to talk to him on the phone again, before you know it, he will find a way to make you say something
twinkiedooter
Jul 16, 2011, 01:07 PM
thank you. i should've added I got a DUI in 2008 and just got my license. I completed all the requirements for the courts and DMV. I'd like to add on May 8, 2011 I celebrated 2 years of living clean and sober.
Your DUI falls off the insurance in a year (all tix and accidents and dui's fall off after 3 years btw) and your rates will go down. But if this guy succeeds in having your carrier pay out then you will have an AF (at fault) accident on your record and your rates will go up.
ma0641
Jul 16, 2011, 01:38 PM
I read your comment to Twink about you "own investigation". After spending almost 40 years in Insurance risk management, that's the last thing you want to do. Let your insurer do it NOW. If Norm gets pi**ed, he'll want $2000! Do not delay any more.
JudyKayTee
Jul 16, 2011, 01:52 PM
I'm an accident investigator. I ALWAYS tell people to report the accident to their AGENT. Let the agent decide whether to turn it over to the company.
I also will add - and I have no reason to disbelieve you - that your version of a tap may be my version of a hard hit. Happens all the time.
So report it and the next time Norman calls tell him to have his Attorney call your insurance company - and then hang up.
As far as being willing to take full responsibility IF you were at fault or IF there was serious damage - that's for the insurance companies to battle over.
Fr_Chuck
Jul 16, 2011, 02:39 PM
And a tap is all it takes, I have a friend who just reached down quick to pick up a pencil
odinn7
Jul 16, 2011, 08:01 PM
Me and my family were hit by someone back in April and it wasn't a good situation at all. We hired an attorney and he has handled the whole thing. Not only did we never have to talk to the person that hit us, but we were also told not to have any communication with them either. If Norman really had an attorney already, first, he would not be contacting you... second, he would not be asking you for $500 at this point for "serious" injuries.
odinn7
Jul 17, 2011, 07:19 AM
Something else I thought of... were the police called for this accident? Was anyone's insurance company notified? It would be difficult for Norman to prove that you actually did anything to him without a police report on file and no actual record of this accident happening.
JudyKayTee
Jul 17, 2011, 07:34 AM
Something else I thought of...were the police called for this accident? Was anyone's insurance company notified? It would be difficult for Norman to prove that you actually did anything to him without a police report on file and no actual record of this accident happening.
I'm an investigator - "Norman" has his identifying information. Something happened that caused the OP to provide that info to Norman.
Lie about the accident, have the insurance company find out you are lying, good luck getting auto insurance somewhere else.
He already said the Police were not notified.
thepour64
Jul 19, 2011, 06:40 AM
Thank you. I get the "TAP"--but, it really was. I really have to thank all the people who responded. Wow! I haven't heard from Norman and have no # to reach him. Am going to call my agent today. Thanks again!
thepour64
Jul 19, 2011, 06:40 AM
Thanks, you are right!
thepour64
Jul 19, 2011, 06:42 AM
Never thought of that, geez it's 6:41 a.m.--can't wait to call my agent.
Wondergirl
Jul 19, 2011, 08:31 AM
Never thought of that, geez it's 6:41 a.m.--can't wait to call my agent.
Please keep us informed as to how this plays out.
I'm curious because I worked for State Farm years ago, was the secretary for five adjusters who handled bodily-injury claims. We saw everything under the sun -- a favorite ploy was drivers who didn't have insurance or very good insurance deliberately getting into two-car accidents with the hope their car would be damaged enough to be considered as totaled and the insurance companies would pay them enough to buy a better one. One of our insureds walked out of his house one morning to see a stranger crawl out from beneath his car. The stranger "groggily" claimed he had been hit and dragged and had been unconscious under the car all night. State Farm denied his medical claims.