Warning! Car attacked at AP7 service area

Hi, just drove down from England to Condadao. Stopped at the service area just past Barcelona.

Shortly after there, about 6km later, we had a puncture. The rear tyre had been stabbed with a knife while two of us were in the car at the service area. A man had approached the car, obtained our attention, so his gang member could then stab the tyre while we were not looking.

Normally the tyre will go flat in about 1km. Then you are relieved of your possessions and sometimes your car as well. In this case I had luckily(!) had new tyre fitted 5 days earlier so got 6km down the road. So too far for the scammers to operate.

Apparently this scam is frequent, often targeting GB/non-Spanish plated cars, and also rental cars.

So advice?

1. If you have to stop as we did later, stop in the petrol forecourt right under one or more of the security cameras.
2. Do not leave the car unattended
2. Be extra vigilant, watching the car especially the back at all times when stopped.
3. If it happens dial 112 for the Police, (the 999 equivalent) and call your breakdown company for help if needed.
4. Refuse help from people that may stop and offer. The RAC warned that this is also a frequent scam, they too are thieves, or will charge a fortune for providing the service.
5. The Police in Tarragonna said that the service areas are the main areas where this happens.

Ian
 

hi Ian,

just picked up on this thread

and sorry to hear about your bad time.

and yes that scam has been going many many years.

dont let it put you off driveing from uk to cda again

as there are so many routes with breathtaking senary.

like me this is a slight wake up call to be more vigilant,.

and when you say say do not trust anyone,

the dutch people you should never doubt(great people)

kind regards

allan