a few months ago i received a letter in the mail asking me to pony up money for a hit and run that i was never involved in. the accident, which apparently wasnt criminal because noone arrested me, occurred in another state than the one i live in, and which i have visited since 2005
i ignored these letters because i thought it was a scam- why didnt my insurance or the police contact me? why geico insurance? with each letter, more personal information about me was revealed. the last letter i received shows my license number, etc etc.
the problem is, i have NOTHING to prove that i was in my home state on that day, and i made no transactions for afew days before and after the alleged incident. reason being i had traveled to visit my mother and returned back to my state in time for a holiday –so i had no school or work to vouch for me, only my live-in boyfriend and mother.
i dont know who has gotten this personal information about me and how, but im feeling very uenasy about the whole thing. and im terrified. ive already consulted with a lawyer and my insurance company who are taking the case on.
what are my chances of losing even though i am innocent. is this considered identity theft? pelase help, freaking out
i meant to say i have not visited the state where the alleged accident took place since 2005
the “hit and run” wasnt of a person..it was i hit someone else’s car and fled the scene, or so im led to believe because i wasnt there!
Let the lawyer handle it!
i think someone you know got into trouble and gave your information away. Get written statements from everyone you talked to during that time span that tells of your whereabouts. And think, there has to be transactions. What about gas receipts, even something as simple as you on video walking around wal-mart or another store will prove your location at around that time. Did you buy a candy bar or anything?
This is not a criminal issue – you’re in civil land now. There is no “guilty or innocent” here – it is liable or not liable, or no cause of action.
You are are wise consider this a scam. But you would be foolish to write it off 100% as a scam.
Personal info is easy to get. For $30 or so, anyone can get your license number, etc.
Listen to your attorney. Don’t freak out. Your attorney worries about proof and evidence issues, not rule. The rules of evidence for civil matters are different from those for criminal matters. For example, the sworn testimony of your mother and live-in boyfriend is fine. This is not television – you don’t need credit receipts, etc. Once you hire an attorney, your job is to do nothing but (1) listen to him! and (2) don’t go doing things on the side to “help” your case and (3) relax.
Finally, ask your attorney about the time issue. In many states, the statute of limitations for personal injury actions is 2 years. There are ways to extend this period; e.g. by the discovery rule. But this all depends on your jurisdiction, and it sounds like this letter was an invitation to settle and not a civil complaint.
Good luck.