Beware of Car Detailing Scams

Protecting Our Community

Author

Keyur Patel
December 03, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Attention, Edmonton community members! A new scam has surfaced on local social media, targeting individuals with enticing car detailing promotions.

It's crucial to stay informed and vigilant to avoid falling victim to this scheme. Let's delve into the details and learn how to safeguard ourselves against car detailing scams.

The Scam

Watch out for posts featuring before-and-after pictures of car detailing, accompanied by a generic message like this:

The immediate red flag?

The lack of a business name. Legitimate businesses want to be recognized, so keeping the business name hidden is a telltale sign of a scam. These scammers may provide a generic name when pressed, resembling the tactics seen in previous duct cleaning scams on Facebook.

Using their own other bots/fake profile they add comments to showcase that the post is getting lots of traction.

How the Scam Works

These scammers promise no upfront payments but may later request a "completely refundable deposit" or seek information for potential identity theft. Even if they provide some service, it often falls short and comes at a higher cost than initially quoted.

They are fake accounts with overseas agents or bots running them. The “mobile detailing company” is just people with no business license who yes will clean your car, but generally do a crap job and have been known to swap parts and steal from the car if left unsupervised.

Protect Yourself

Stay one step ahead of scammers with these tips:

  1. Verify the Business: Legitimate businesses proudly share their name. If it's missing, proceed with caution.

  2. Question Generic Details: Generic business names are a red flag. Legitimate businesses are transparent about their identity.

  3. No Upfront Payment: Be cautious of requests for deposits or sensitive information. Legitimate businesses have transparent payment processes.

  4. Research and Ask Questions: Investigate the business online, ask for referrals, and don't hesitate to inquire about their services.

Let's work together to keep our community safe from scams. Share this information with friends and family, and stay vigilant!

#EdmontonCommunity #CarDetailingScamAlert

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