Scamwatch: European motoring fraud

Stay one step ahead of the fraudsters with our series of articles giving you the lowdown on the scams they use to trick people out of their hard-earned cash - and how to avoid being taken in by them.

This week, the motoring scams to look out for if you are taking to the road on the Continent this summer.

How does it work?
British tourists are being warned to look out for a number of scams when driving their own or hire cars in other European countries this summer.

In France, for example, criminals disguised as police are stopping tourists' cars and stealing their valuables.

The robbers follow vehicles and place what appears to be a police light on top of their car before forcing their targets to pull over on the motorway hard shoulder so they can "search" the vehicle, stealing anything of value.

In Spain, meanwhile, biker gangs are slashing unsuspecting tourists' tyres and pointing out the "blow outs" before calling their friends to come and tow the stricken vehicles to a garage where people are forced to pay up to £1,000 for a new tyre.

How can I avoid being caught out?
Police in France are advising visitors not to stop for the police if they are in doubt and the car is unmarked.

"If you do stop, keep the doors locked and the windows up, and ask for identification," Captain Alain Archaimbault of the French Gendarmerie told France Inter radio, adding that French police would never use unmarked cars for routine checks and would only pull vehicles over in "well-lit rest areas".

Sean Tipton at travel association Abta also advises tourists in Spain and other countries to be wary of unsolicited offers of help.

"Unfortunately tourists are often attractive targets for scammers," he said. "Many pose as Good Samaritans warning you about issues with your car and offer to help."

Before travelling, it also makes sense to check the foreign office travel advice for the country or countries you're visiting to check for scam warnings.

I've been defrauded. What should I do?
If you think you have been targeted by fake police officers, the French police recommend calling the real the police on 17 or 112 as soon as possible - whether or not you stop for them.

You should also cancel any cards that have been stolen immediately to avoid they being used.

If you have been caught out by the Spanish tyre fraud, you can also alert the local police by calling 112 or 091.

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