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-   -   Barely tapped someone's car. How do I protect myself from extortion? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=587764)

  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:12 AM
    thepour64
    Barely tapped someone's car. How do I protect myself from extortion?
    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!
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:14 AM
    Curlyben
    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:18 AM
    ballengerb1

    I agree, stop talking to him. He has your insurance info and they should do all of the talking from here on out.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:19 AM
    twinkiedooter

    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:24 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on Curlyben's post
    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:25 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:29 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on twinkiedooter's post
    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
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:30 AM
    twinkiedooter
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thepour64 View Post
    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!
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:48 AM
    Wondergirl

    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 12:39 PM
    Fr_Chuck

    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
  • Jul 16, 2011, 01:07 PM
    twinkiedooter
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thepour64 View Post
    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 01:38 PM
    ma0641
    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 01:52 PM
    JudyKayTee

    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.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 02:39 PM
    Fr_Chuck

    And a tap is all it takes, I have a friend who just reached down quick to pick up a pencil
  • Jul 16, 2011, 08:01 PM
    odinn7
    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.
  • Jul 17, 2011, 07:19 AM
    odinn7
    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.
  • Jul 17, 2011, 07:34 AM
    JudyKayTee
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by odinn7 View Post
    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.
  • Jul 19, 2011, 06:40 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on JudyKayTee's post
    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!
  • Jul 19, 2011, 06:40 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on ma0641's post
    Thanks, you are right!
  • Jul 19, 2011, 06:42 AM
    thepour64
    Comment on Wondergirl's post
    Never thought of that, geez it's 6:41 a.m.--can't wait to call my agent.

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