If you’re going on vacation this weekend of August 15th, be careful. Better stay close to your vehicle and lock it when you get out. Several scams are common on the streets during the summer. We go around these.
The flat tire
If you go to Spain, watch your tires. In recent days, the Catalan police have drawn attention to the flat tire scam common in Spanish motorway service stations and tollbooths, reports the netizen. The criminals spot their victim, follow him, and then use a stop at a motorway service area or toll booth to unobtrusively deflate his rear tire.
When you get back on the road, you quickly realize there is a problem and have to stop. This is where the scammer offers to help. While you are busy with the tire, an accomplice steals your valuables left in the car.
Another option is to offer help and then ask for compensation.
Police are advising motorists to “keep an eye on the area when stopping”.
The Irish Fraud
It is the French national gendarmerie that draws attention to this fraud. A foreign tourist approaches you at a motorway rest stop and claims that his credit cards and cash have been stolen. According to him, he has no more money to go home and asks you to help him by providing him with money. He promises to refund you afterwards, leaves an address, a telephone number. Sometimes he will go as far as showing you a fake ad or ID card.
Of course the story is false and the reimbursement money never arrives if we show solidarity.
The ticket fraud
Are you back on the road after a break and behind the steering wheel see a 50 euro note under your windshield wipers? Above all, do not get out of the car to pick it up. This is a scam whose aim is to steal your car. If you get out without turning off the ignition to get the ticket, the crook will get into the vehicle and start with the keys you left in the ignition.
The license plate fraud
Someone takes your license plate and then gets your phone number by contacting the prefecture. You will then receive a call telling you that you are involved in a traffic accident. The person threatens you, saying they will file a complaint if you don’t compensate them immediately. Which of course you shouldn’t do!