Oil Change Scam: How It Works
(with video below) Whenever you take your car to the shop for an oil change or a problem that needs to be fixed, there is a good chance that are you may be called during the service. A mechanic phones you and says that the oil change will be done, but you really need to take care of another part, which is in critical condition. He offers to fix it for you while at it.
Some of these suggestions are legimitate, but a lot of them are pure cash cows. How does the scam work?
Watch the shocking video below to see in action the Oil Change Scam exposed:
Car Mechanic Oil Change Scam Video
For instance, the mechanic will tell you that your power steering fluid is not clear, is red, or smells like it's burnt. Or, if you go to change your brakes, you will probably be told that the rotor has to be replaced. Some of the other commonly used reasons to inflate your bill are as follows:
– Changing of the transmission fluid.
– Replacing the shocks and struts before the their time.
– Replacing spark plugs prematurely. They might be in great condition still.
– Adding some 'special' solution to your oil, so you can protect the quality while the engine will run like a brand new one.
– Replacing the cabin filter or the air filter. "You really need to do it!!", they say.
– Doing the cooling system flush prematurely.
Of course, now all these may well be true, but how are you to know that it isn't just a scam?
Oil Change Scam: How To Avoid
A difficult one, particularly if you aren't very mechanically minded. Don't get us wrong, a lot of the mechanics and car shops are honest, but avoid the greedy ones by always asking for a second opinion. We are only talking about the shady ones.
Scammers make money by relying on people not having time or the convenience to come back another day. Ask the mechanics to see the air filters, cabin filters, spark plugs, or anything else that they want to replace.
Change your fluids only at recomended intervals. You won't be sorry. Always rely on recommendations from people who have friends in these shops.
Oil Change Scam: How To Report
Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
How to protect yourself more:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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Appreciate the notices.
This is about anyone who been rip off from an auto repair shop.
Ever been charged for work that hasn’t been done? Instead of taking the law in my own hand…I chosen to take them to Small Claim Court. I’m doing a Crowdfunding fundraiser that’s important to me. http://fundrazr.com/autoshop-ripoff
Really good advice….Thanks a lot