How to Avoid Bumper Repair Scams

The last thing you want when you’ve gotten into a car accident or collision and are looking to choose the right car parts company is to become another victim of car service and car repair scams. When you need parts for your vehicle, you want a car company that provides you with the highest levels of quality, consistency, cost-efficiency, and reputability. In this article, we’ll discuss how to avoid bumper repair scams, how to avoid car dent repair scams, and avoid wax bumper repair scams.

Car Bumper Repair Scams

There are a few top things to look out for when trying to avoid car bumper repair scams. These car repair scammers will often approach people in heavily-populated public areas, offer to perform various car repairs, and work on the spot while you are busy with other activities. These repairs are very rarely of any adequate quality. Often the scammers will simply take your cash payment and disappear without doing any car repair work at all. In other instances, scammers will apply a cheap white or blue wax to your vehicle which is likely to do more damage and add to the number of overall damages.

As time goes on, these car scams become more difficult to pinpoint. Scammers become better at replication of legitimate car companies. To stay safe as a car owner and not needlessly throw away money on a scam, there are top aspects to look out for and take note of. The top aspects to know and look out for include them approaching you in a parking lot, only accepting cash payment, and using white or blue wax to repair.

Wax Bumper Repair Scams

One of the more specific bumper scams is the wax bumper repair scam. The common name for these repair scammers is a “dent gypsy”. When an individual interests you in car services and repairs in a parking lot, they are likely less than legitimate. The other top aspects to know and look for include them having a lack of business apparel, business cards, or a business name, and having a phone number that doesn’t work. To avoid these scams, consider a bumper with aftermarket pricing that is frequently less expensive than repairing, especially when you factor in the costs of more repairs needed due to a scammer furthering the damage.

Initially Approach in Parking Lots

The scammer initially approaching you for a quick, cheaper repair is one of the top signs that you are at risk of falling victim to a car repair scam and they aren’t part of a legitimate car company. Highly trained, reputable dent technicians won’t approach customers in parking lots and ask for their business.

Insist on Upfront Cash Payments

Most car repair scammers will insist on cash payment, often upfront, even before they do any repairing. Often, the scammer will mention that they only accept cash payment when they first approach you. However, it is simple enough with technological advancements to have a mobile payment system.

Use Blue or White Wax Coverage

Another common occurrence is a wax repair scam. The scammer uses blue or white wax to cover the dent or damaged car area. They will say not to remove the wax for up to 3 days, and upon removal, the wax will allegedly fill the dented area. They use wax as they have no repair training. Upon removal, most of the dent will often still be there.

No Business Apparel, Cards, or Name

Another top sign that you are at risk of becoming a scam victim is the scammer’s lack of legitimate credentials, including a lack of business apparel, business cards, or a business name on them. They often wear street clothes, and most legitimate car repair companies have at least one of these 3 things.

No Working Business Phone Number

Having no working phone number for contacting or exploring their legitimacy is another top way victims become aware of a scam. When removing the wax and revealing a lack of adequate repair results, the victim will often try the given phone number and it won’t exist or will connect to an unaffiliated car company.

Car Dent Repair Scams

Another common type of repair scam is the car dent repair scam. These car damages can happen due to various minor fender benders or other collisions, and there is a common car repair scam to reflect these common accidents. As car dents are typically more expensive to repair, scammers will also target this type of accident, offering a so-called cheap dent repair job. In this scam, the car scammers will similarly target you in a parking lot or other busy, public area and offer to perform the repair while you are shopping or doing other things.

The car dent repair scam will present as highly convenient and cheaper, but is frequently too good of a deal to trust. Many of the common things to look out for and take note of in this scam is similar to the car bumper repair scams. Some of the top things to know and look out for with this scam include them approaching you in a parking lot and them insisting that you pay upfront and pay in cash. They will often supplement you with different prices from their local service and repair mechanic. However, they will often simply take your money without performing any car services.

Avoid Car Repair Scams With FitParts

To avoid these various scams while still enjoying some significant cost-efficiency and quality in your car parts, consider aftermarket-priced parts instead of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for replacement. Another valuable consideration is using a folded bumper when you are facing repair and replacement costs. Folded bumpers decrease the shipping costs. Another top suggestion for reducing repair and replacement costs that can increase scam temptation is home auto repair for bumper dents and other scratches. These suggestions and aspects to look out for and to cut costs can help you from being another scam victim.