Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is updating its warnings about scammers who are contacting businesses claiming they want to do business with them even though they aren’t in the local area or, more frequently, even in the same country.

Initially targeting small auto repair shops through deaf communication devices regarding the shipping of vehicles that needed repairs, scammers have now moved on to other service industries as well as purchasing goods.

Like most successful scams, the process is fairly simple. The scam artist currently contacts potential victims through email and makes a request that will cost a substantial amount of money.

The scammer then makes payment arrangements with the business to cover the charges and shipping fees. The scammer asks the company to wire the shipping amount to the “shipper” that will be handling the freight end of the deal, promising to reimburse them immediately. The money is actually being wired to the scam artist. Later, the business receives a call from their credit card processor informing (more…)

For the third time since March, a Tucson automotive repair facility has notified BBB that they were contacted by a scammer using a relay service intended to assist persons who are hearing impaired.

Since this scam seems to keep popping up around Southern Arizona, we thought we would run down the slightly different forms it can take.

- In early September, BBB received a call from Jimmy’s Broadway Automotive Service after they received a call via Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) from someone who said they wanted to have their car shipped to the shop for repairs. Using TRS, the scammer offered to pay Jimmy’s over the phone with a credit card.

However, there was catch: Jimmy’s was to forward the money from the credit card transaction to the shipping company to pay for transportation of the car. Jimmy’s told BBB that although the scammer “tried diligently” to lure them in for about 15 minutes, ultimately the call raised too many red flags and they refused the offer.

- On June 30, BBB received a call from Canyon RV Center, in Tucson, saying they had been contacted by someone using a relay service to inquire about buying $4,000 worth of parts. The caller used the name “Lisa Marie” and claimed a Yuma address.

She emailed the business a credit card number and attempted to make arrangements for someone to pick the parts up when the order arrived. The business owner became suspicious when he noticed that a passport provided as identification by the scammer was tampered with, and refrained from ordering the parts. Several days later the bank notified him that the credit card the scammer provided was stolen.

- In March, BBB reported a man had contacted a different Tucson auto repair facility via a relay service and told them he was going to have his car towed to their facility and he wanted to wire money directly into the business’ account. When the business owner started asking questions the caller hung up.

Recently, KVOA News in Tucson aired a segment on relay scams, specific to Canyon State RV. You can also check out this BBB video giving the rundown on relay scams.

If you receive a similar call don’t provide account information to the caller, don’t order any supplies, and be wary of any of payment the caller offers. Do try to get as much information as possible and contact your BBB at 520-888-5353 or info@tucson.bbb.org.