Car service fraud cases have become more frequent in Moscow. Attackers use leaked service station databases to find out which customers have handed over their cars for repair. Next, they call the service itself on behalf of the client, clarify the details of the repair and its cost, and then contact the car owner - they introduce themselves as station employees and ask to transfer money for allegedly completed work or purchased spare parts.
Dozens of such crimes have already been recorded, and criminal cases have been opened in many of them. The amount of damage reaches hundreds of thousands of rubles. One of the victims transferred 99 thousand rubles to a fraudster, thinking that he was paying the car service. It was only later that it turned out that the car was still under repair.
The scheme works due to trust - fraudsters have accurate information: car make, repair details, amount. In another case, tires and rims worth 510 thousand rubles were stolen. A courier came for them after a fake call. There were also less large-scale episodes - from 30 to 80 thousand rubles of damage, when customers transferred money to the cards of private individuals allegedly for urgent parts.
Experts emphasize that the main difference between this scheme is its targeting. Fraudsters gain access to the service station's customer base and work specifically. The source of leaks can be both malicious programs and unscrupulous employees selling data on the darknet or in messengers.
Car services warn: serious companies do not ask for prepayment - payment is made only after the completion of repairs and only on the spot. If you receive a suspicious call, it is better to call the service directly immediately.
According to experts, the activation of fraudsters in Moscow is associated with an increase in the cost of repairs - over the year it increased by 25–30%. The accelerated pace of life makes customers vulnerable: in an attempt to save time, people easily fall for the tricks of fraudsters.
If you have already transferred money, you need to urgently contact the bank with a request to suspend the transfer and file a statement with the police. It is also important to warn the car service so that they strengthen the protection of personal data and do not give out information to unauthorized persons over the phone.
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