{"id":224,"date":"2023-10-16T13:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/?p=224"},"modified":"2025-02-10T18:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T18:15:40","slug":"staged-accidents-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/staged-accidents-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"Staged Accidents in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Don\u2019t Get Scammed by a Staged Accident While Driving in Mexico<\/h2>\n

A troubling recent scam trend is emerging in Baja and Rocky Point for staging accidents or asking for the auto insurance documents of foreign drivers to defraud of money. The experts at Sanborn\u2019s Mexico Car Insurance have tips for how to avoid this scam and what to do if you find yourself involved in such a defrauding attempt.<\/p>\n

According to recent reports, these scams are on the rise and are targeting those who are traveling in Baja and Rocky Point \u2013 although it can happen anywhere, including the U.S. Remember, to legally drive your vehicle into Mexico from the U.S., you must first purchase Mexican car insurance. Let\u2019s look at these recent cases and get some advice from Sanborn\u2019s on what to do.<\/p>\n

Case #1<\/strong>: Driving near Rosarito in Baja, a U.S. citizen was the victim of a staged accident when a car suddenly swerved in front of them and slammed on their brakes, causing the U.S. driver to hit them from behind. The \u201cvictims\u201d asked the visiting driver for his insurance documents and then pretended to call the insurance company from a cell phone. He handed his phone to the U.S. citizen who heard someone on the other end claiming to be from his insurance company and denying the claim. This voice on the phone recommended he just pay the victim an amount equal to the victim\u2019s insurance deductible. This voice also told the U.S. driver not to call again or his policy would be cancelled. In this case, it was $31,000 pesos (roughly $1,722 U.S.). Since most people don\u2019t carry that type of cash, the \u201cvictim\u201d offered to take the U.S. driver to an ATM, while the man\u2019s wife stayed behind with the passenger. The driver of the car that was hit proceeded to take the U.S. citizen back over the border to access an ATM in the U.S., while his wife stayed behind in Mexico with an accomplice!<\/p>\n

This story may sound unbelievable, but it really happened. There are several points along the way where the U.S. driver should have recognized red flags and taken a different course of action. Let\u2019s look:<\/p>\n

Red Flag #1<\/strong>: Being asked to give a stranger your insurance documents then talk to \u201cyour\u201d insurance company on their phone.<\/p>\n

Red Flag #2<\/strong>: Being told \u201cyour\u201d insurance company will cancel \u201cyour\u201d policy if you call them.<\/p>\n

Red Flag #3<\/strong>: An offer to accompany you to an ATM to withdraw funds.<\/p>\n

You may be laughing while reading this and believe you would never fall for anything so obviously fake. But when you are a driver in a foreign country, especially someone who is new to driving in Mexico, and something like this happens to you, you really don\u2019t know how you would react.<\/p>\n

Case #2<\/strong>: A visiting U.S. citizen was driving in Rocky Point when another driver (with U.S. license plates) attempted to stage an accident. The accident was avoided but the visitor was harassed and followed until he made his way to a police station, at which point the other driver left.<\/p>\n

In this case, an accident was fortunately avoided, but the lesson is to know where you can go if you need to drive to a police station.<\/p>\n

What to do Instead<\/h3>\n

The professionals at Sanborn have these tips for those who drive into Mexico:<\/h4>\n

If you are involved in an accident (even one that appears staged) involving a third party, while driving in Mexico report the claim, contact your insurance company yourself immediately. Don\u2019t let someone else have your documents and\/or call for you.<\/p>\n