FRAUDBUSTERS: ASK A LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
Part 1
Q: Recently, I was discussing a suspicious claim with another investigator. He said it appeared that one of the parties in the loss was involved in 'sub-plating' the vehicle. What does that mean?
A: This is a relatively new type of fraud, and it's becoming increasingly popular. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, sub-plating is a scam in which a car thief steals a vehicle, locates an identical model vehicle to the one he just stole, and takes only the license plate. When the owner of the identical vehicle realizes that he's missing a plate, he goes to the DMV and makes a report of lost or stolen plate. The DMV has the owner return the remaining license plate and issues a new set, with new numbers, for $8. Meanwhile, the car thief has removed the original plate from the car he stole, replaced it with the stolen plate from the second car, and is probably transporting the stolen vehicle across the border or using it for a staged accident. This is effective because, in the case of a plate scan, nothing unusual (such as a stolen car warning) will flash on the computer. It will appear as if nothing is amiss.
Q: It appears that many of the addresses being used in suspicious cases turn out to be private postal companies. When we request information on the boxholder, the company refuses information, citing the privacy act. Is there anything we can do?
A: After contacting different private postal companies, it's my understanding that there are two ways to obtain information about a boxholder: with a court order or through a subpoena. This creates a problem if the case isn't being litigated. In that case, you may choose to use an outside source, which may have developed various pretext techniques to obtain information. Another recommendation: Contact the U.S. postal inspector assigned to the area in which the private postal company is located. If the case seems shady, the postal inspector may be willing to try to help, especially if there's a suspicion that the mails were used by the claimant during the claims process.
Q: Many of the dubious claims that come across my desk seem to be using the same attorneys and medical clinics. Do you know where an individual can obtain lists of questionable attorneys and clinics?
A: Obviously, due to the tremendous liability potential, private companies won't publish a list of questionable attorneys and medical clinics. I recommend that you talk to adjusters and investigators to see what information they have developed. I've also been told that the NICB is keeping a database of attorneys and medical clinics amassed from all the files referred to it, and this information can be accessed by its members.
Q: Just out of curiosity, how often does surveillance affect settlements of cases before or during a trial?
A. That's extremely difficult to answer. I've had cases in which we were requested to show the claimant's attorney our film. On one case, he saw the film and dropped the claim. In other cases, the attorney wants to go to trial even though he or she is aware that we have incriminating film of the client. Recently, we obtained film for a defense firm, which then allowed the film to be used for two other named defendants. Two defendants settled for substantially less than the demand and even advised the attorney that they were settling, in part, because of the film. At the time this column is being written, the third defendant is still awaiting trial.
Q: For entertainment value, what's the strangest case you've ever worked on?
A: In one case, I took a statement from a very credible male witness. Based on the statement, the attorney wanted to take the witness' deposition. Our office was retained to serve the deposition subpoena. The witness complained that he didn't have a way to get to the deposition. It was agreed that I would pick him up and drop him at the attorney's office. On arrival, I found the witness attired in a dress and spike heels. He told me that he thought it would help him to recall the accident more clearly if he wore the same clothes he had on the night he witnessed the accident.
Q: I work in California and have often seen identification cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. What can you tell me about these cards?
A: The ID card consists of one letter and seven digits. Before 1990, they started with the letter U. From 1990 to 1993, the they started with the letter A. As of this writing, they're in a series that starts with B. There was never any explanation as to why they jumped from U to A. As with driver's licenses, the photograph appears in the lower left-hand corner. The identification card is valid for six years for individuals under the age of 65, and 10 years for those over 65.
© Copyright, The John Cooke Fraud Report. Reprinted with permission.