Sometimes the P-O feels so peaceful and far away from the stresses of big town crime that it’s very easy to let your guard down.
The following is not a new scam – it’s ongoing because it has proved so successful for criminals. They target foreign cars, left hand drive, women alone and depend on your panic at being stopped and shouted at in a foreign language.
P-O Life readers explain……
* Driving through Saint Cyprien past parked cars, I heard something that sounded like a stone hitting the car. I was then flashed, flagged down and stopped by a driver with a broken wing mirror, claiming to have been hit by my car.
He demanded payment to cover the damage and avoid an insurance claim, loss of no claims bonus etc. He was very intimidating.
I took out my phone, saying I was going to call the police, and he disappeared. If this happens to you…
…. Stay calm
….Take a photo of the other driver AND his licence plate if you have a photo phone
…..Ring 17 and talk to the Gendarmes – he will usually be gone by the time you take your phone out.
* Just thought I’d share an experience I had yesterday in case the same has happened to anyone else or as a warning. I think I experienced a would be “crash for cash” incident. I was driving through my home village- St Genis des Fontaines – and I noticed a white fiat 500 behind me but thought nothing of it. It turned off the main road after me then turned at the same small road but I didn’t really think there was a problem.
I entered the cul de sac where I live and drove to the end to the turning space where I turned to park against the wall opposite my house. However as I started my turning manoeuvre the Fiat appeared quickly and parked immediately behind me making my reverse turn more difficult- but not impossible (I have reversing sensors) so I made the turn, drove up the road and parked against the wall.
At that point the fiat drew alongside me and the angry young man told me I had had an accident. I told him categorically I hadn’t and told him I was certain because I have a reversing camera. I showed him the screen on my dash board.
He backed off but was very angry and reversed up the road at a stupid speed. I have never seen this car in the cul de sac before. There are only 3 house after mine and all occupied by older people but at first I thought he might be a relative visiting a neighbour but since then I have reflected it could have been a scam ie – “let’s not involve insurance companies. I have a cousin who can repair my car. Give me xx euros and we’ll say no more “
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SOME USEFUL VOCABULARY
Allez vous en (but rather too polite)
Va t’en!
Fous le camp!
Fiche le camp!
Tire-toi!
Casse-toi!
Va te faire voir!
Dégage!
Va au diable!
File!
Allez ouste!
Zou (shoo)
…..and many more ruder versions!!
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Whilst the majority of residents and tourists are not victims of crime,, it doesn’t do any harm to take a few simple precautions. Most of them are obvious when you read them here, but we don’t always think of the obvious when we’re relaxed and feeling safe. The following advice was given to us a couple of years ago by the Barcelona police but most of it would apply anywhere.
Do not…
– stop if you are flagged down by a stranger
– stop to give directions, answer queries….
– have maps on display inside the car clearly identifying you as a tourist
– assume that any ‘official’ approaching you is genuine.
– carry more than the bare minimum around with you. Leave passports, money, credit cards locked in your hotel. Take photocopies if you have to. Use a money belt.
– stop (unless driving is dangerous) for a flat tyre until you find somewhere safe (eg a police station!)
Do…
– Keep the car locked even when you are inside
– be vigilant if approached by a motor cyclist
– Avoid stopping at deserted rest areas on the motorways
– keep your bag/wallet completely out of sight
– Familiarise yourself with your travel insurance policy (ie do you need to make a police report for it to be valid?)
– Try not to look too much like a tourist!!!! (No knotted hankies around the head please…)
