New car theft scam makes the rounds
The new scamming modus operandi was reportedly being used by syndicates in South Africa.
A new car theft scam was reportedly making the rounds, a vehicle tracking company said.
“Vehicle tracking customers are being contacted by the scammers who are pretending to work for Tracker,” a statement issued by the company said this week.
“They advise the customer that there is something wrong with their tracking device and that they need to come out to repair or replace the device.”
The new scamming modus operandi was reportedly being used by syndicates in South Africa.
“Once on site, the perpetrators will claim that they need to test the device by taking the car for a test drive. Or they will say that they can’t finalise the repairs on site and must take the vehicle back to the fitment centre,” the statement continued.
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Customers of several vehicle tracking companies had reportedly already been targeted by the scammers.
The tracking company offered pointers to its customers and other motorists to prevent potentially falling victim to the scammers.
“If you are contacted about repairs to your tracking device by someone claiming to be from Tracker, please ask them to take you through the Tracker security verification questions associated with your account to verify the legitimacy of the call,” the statement read.
It further stated that if the person on phone was unable to do so, the customer or would-be victim from any other tracking company should advise them that they would have to call someone else from the company to verify their claim.
“If you are still unsure or find the call suspicious, please contact our call centre on 0860-605-040.”
The company further noted that their technicians would never ask to test drive a customer’s vehicle.
Customers were also advised to always check the email address used to send them the request, as it was “often an immediate giveaway “as the criminals would not be using a tracker.co.za address”.
They should always confirm the validity of the appointment by contacting their call centre.
Earlier this month, Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said they were tackling a recent spike in motor-vehicle related crimes.
“We have noticed a slight spike in terms of theft of motor vehicles and theft out of motor vehicles in the Lyttelton policing area,” he said at the time.
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