WABC: Some taxi drivers in New York City are getting another layer of protection against insurance fraud.
Starting Tuesday, The New York Federation of Taxi Drivers is launching “Operation Bright Eyes.”
The program will equip 500 cabs with front, rear, and interior cameras, with the goal of later expanding to more vehicles within the city’s livery and black car industry.
The initiative aims to give drivers video proof when passengers falsely claim they were the victims of accidents and injuries.
The federation called the false claims a “billion-dollar fraud machine.”
“For years, powerful crime organizations-lawyers, clinics & scammers have built empires by stealing from taxi drivers and insurance companies,” said Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD Spokesman. “We’re done being victims. We can’t carry guns or knives to defend ourselves so these cameras are our weapons, and we’re hunting the truth. If you’ve been part of this criminal game we see you now.”
“This is a declaration of war,” said Steven Rivera, NYSFTD President. “These cartels have drained drivers, destroyed lives, and driven up insurance across the city. We’re flooding the streets with cameras until every scam artist is exposed and every driver is protected.”
