Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
May 30, 2008 3:30 pm US/Central
Local Woman Falls Victim To Car Accident Scam
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A simple fender bender accident ended up costing a North Texas woman her purse and cell phone. Police said that she was the victim of a scam.
The car accident happened on the westbound side of East Rosedale Street in east Fort Worth. That is where the scam started. When 71-year-old Barbra Brodie pulled off onto a nearby side street, the thieves finished their business.
"You just really feel violated that somebody would do that to you," said Brodie. She sells life insurance for a living, but was unable to make it to her appointment with a client on Wednesday afternoon.
"All of the sudden," Brodie said, recalling the car accident that day, "this big, white car in front of me just stopped. I smashed right into the back of him and we stopped."
"I was just shaking because of the accident," Brodie continued. She and the big, white car pulled off onto Andrew Avenue. Brodie and the young, male driver exchanged information. But the man's passenger had another idea.
"I got to my car, noticed the door was open and noticed that my purse and my cell phone had gone," Brodie said. "Turned my head and the car was gone. It was that quick."
Stranded and alone, Brodie flagged down a passing police officer to help her out. The thieves had used her debit card within five minutes. Her cell phone, driver's license and $4 in cash were gone.
"I'm frustrated," Brodie said, "because it's stopping me working, because I make my living driving my car everyday, and I can't do that right now."
According to police, scams like this are common and anyone can fall victim. If you are in a car accident, write down the make, model, license plate and VIN number of the other car. If you get out of your car, lock the doors. If you do not feel comfortable getting out of the car, call 911 and wait for the police to arrive.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
