TODAY’S TIP

Ask yourself these questions if you’re involved in an accident that seems phony to you. It might have been staged.

Staged accidents

Staged accidents are one of the most lucrative, low-risk and least-enforced crimes around. They are a crime problem resulting in a $200-million loss each year in California alone. Some estimates indicate that up to 40% of insurance policy premiums go to combating, processing and paying phony claims.

Staged accidents often involve rings composed of doctors, attorneys and transient street people. Because the crimes often involve many police jurisdictions, the investigations are difficult. The crimes are often hard to detect, and victims often don’t even know they have been victimized.

If you are involved in an accident, one or more of these characteristics may indicate that it was staged.

Ask yourself:

* Did the vehicle in front slam on its brakes for no apparent reason? Remember to always keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.

* Was there a “phantom” vehicle, animal or child the other driver saw--but nobody else did?

* Did you run into an older gas guzzler that had had prior damage?

* Did the occupants in the other car downplay their injuries? Try to recall whether they were wearing seat belts.

* Did they seem anxious about the police showing up? Call the police and your insurance company, and express your suspicions to them.

* Did the driver have a permanent license or a temporary one with no picture? Always compare the photo with the driver’s face and copy down all information.

* Was the car properly registered? Did the driver possess proof of insurance? Always obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses and all occupants of other vehicles in the collision.

Dealing with panhandlers

Police suggest you consider the following in an encounter with a panhandler:

* Any stranger who approaches you on the street should be viewed with caution, regardless of appearance.

* Never display money or reveal where you keep it to anyone. Someone asking for change or somebody standing nearby may be tempted to demand that you give up all your cash.

* Report any confrontation that you have with someone who physically or verbally forces you to give him or her money. Go to the nearest phone and report the incident to the police.

* If the crime does not constitute a robbery and the police did not witness the incident, you may have to make a citizen’s arrest before the suspect can be taken into custody. In any case, wait for the police to arrive.

Source: Santa Monica Police Department