No matter how big or small the damage on your vehicle is, always bring your car to a reputable body shop. Make sure you’re aware of this scam before you are tricked!

If you have any minor damage to your car, like a dent or a scratch, you’re a candidate for this scam. You’ll be approached in a parking lot by a couple guys that say they notice the scratch on your car and they happen to provide mobile auto repair services. Or they might say they work for an auto body shop and are doing personal work on their days off. They’ll hand you their business card and give you a pretty low price for the repair. You’ll be so happy to have your car fixed, and for such a good deal, that you might be tempted to accept the offer, but don’t!

When you return from your errand in the 30-45 minute time frame they give you you’ll be disappointed that the damaged spot looks worse. They tell you not to worry as it needs time to oxidize or settle and that the paint will dry to the exact matching color. Relieved, you hand over the cash and drive off, only to realize a few days later that you’ve got a bigger problem then you started with!

This scam is also prevalent on Craigslist. Auto mechanics offer to replace parts in your car, sometimes even large parts like your engine, for barely above cost prices. They’ll have you pay them the cash up front so they can buy the parts. They give you their “contact information” which is obviously fake, and they tell you they’ll be back with the parts to do the repair. Then they never end up coming back and you have no way of tracking down them down.

Unfortunately Juanita Collision sees this way too often and we wish it didn’t happen. We end up having to spend more time and money repairing the damage and are sad that our customers had to endure the experience. So make sure that if you’re approached by someone you don’t totally trust, walk away. And always remember to call the police if you feel uncomfortable or are being forced to accept an offer.