The latest gimmick of scammers is to leave a padlock on the door: what is this scam and how to defend yourself.
Here we go again. Once again we have to tell you about one new scam which is involving motorists from all over Italy. This is an unusual but very widespread system that should immediately prompt you to call the police in case you are subjected to it.
We don’t know if this has ever happened to you and we sincerely hope not: however, many have recently reported that they have found a padlock on the car door accompanied by a note with a telephone number.
By calling this number, the person who answers will blackmail you by asking you for a “ransom” in cash in order to let you have the key with which to open the padlock and “free” the machine.
It will all seem absurd to you and it is understandable, but unfortunately it is the latest fad of scammers for which we advise you to immediately involve the police in order to avoid paying disproportionate sums for something absolutely incredible.
The lock on the door scam: how to defend yourself and what to do
The key that opens the padlock is never far from the car: on the contrary, it is very probable that it is hidden nearby or even in some parts of the car itself. A mockery for the victim who finds himself having to pay an even high sum to the blackmailer to be able to open the car door.
How to behave in these cases? In the only way one should react to these injustices: firstly, don’t give in to blackmail and, secondly, notify the police immediately between the Carabinieri, the State Police or the Guardia di Finanza.
In short, although it would be understandable to do so, do not give in to panic and blackmail and immediately entrust yourself to the police forces who will intervene promptly to free your car and get hunt for the criminal whoonce he discovers that you have alerted the agents, he will run away.
A similar scam is that of tiresalbeit more difficult to achieve: the times in which one’s car was raised on stands and deprived of the wheels seem gone, but in those places where unfortunately it can still happen the only thing to do, even in this case, is that Of immediately alert the police.
For defend yourself against these scams and extortion attempts there is very little you can do, if you don’t use the utmost caution, even when you’re in the car.
For example, When you travel it would be helpful to lock the doors: you never know that someone stopped at the traffic light will try to open one of the counters for you in order to steal any bags or, worse, blackmail you even with violence in order to take possession of the car.
