The incidence of fraud at Russian car service stations has risen, targeting motorists who leave their vehicles for repairs. Criminals are misrepresenting themselves by altering the contact numbers associated with the customer, a tactic described to a socialbites.ca correspondent by Tatyana Ovchinnikova, the director of Fit Service, an international network of car service centers.
Many vehicle owners are unaware of this scheme. A warning echoes the familiar caution to verify callers, much like you would with a bank’s security line: if there is any doubt, end the call and contact the service station directly through a known channel.
The fraud typically begins when a fraudster phones a service station, pretends to be the car owner, and covertly gathers repair details. The impostor speculates about the car’s make by mentioning a popular model, then discovers the phone number the owner provided and seeks to replace it with another one. In some cases, the attacker may obtain the vehicle owner’s number from the license plate or other databases available to the public or through data brokers.
Subsequently, the scammer phones the owner and fabricates issues with the ongoing repair. As the owner’s attention wanes, the caller requests an advance payment for the work, directing the funds to a new phone number. Ovchinnikova noted that once the money is received, the fraudster disappears.
Historically, this pattern appears alongside a broader uptick in counterfeit auto parts within Russia, signaling a wider environment where deception and misrepresentation can compound risks for vehicle owners and service providers alike. It underscores the importance of confirming all payment details directly with the service center and adhering to trusted communication channels. In these cases, a simple practice—calling a known number rather than replying to a recent message or nonstandard contact—can prevent substantial losses. The evolving nature of these schemes means vigilance is essential for both customers and repair shops, which must implement robust verification steps and clear, consistent payment procedures to safeguard transactions. For owners, maintaining up-to-date contact records and requesting written confirmations for any changes can help close off exploitable gaps and ensure repairs proceed without interruption or misdirection. As the industry continues to respond, the emphasis remains on transparency and accountability in every interaction between clients and service technicians. Such measures not only protect financially but also strengthen trust in service networks during a period of increasing fraud attempts, including those involving parts, which have reportedly surged in prevalence across the country. This broader context highlights the need for ongoing education and practical safeguards within the automotive service sector. (Source: socialbites.ca)”