Motorists warned to beware of car recall scam

Insurance Crime Bureau warns owners of expensive cars to look out for fake safety recalls

22 August 2023 - 09:47 By Staff Writer
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Criminals targeting expensive cars go to great lengths to make their communication seem official.
Criminals targeting expensive cars go to great lengths to make their communication seem official.
Image: Supplied

The Insurance Crime Bureau (ICB) recently issued a vehicle recall scam alert for owners of high-value cars, in which criminals pose as representatives of a car manufacturer and convince owners their vehicle requires urgent attention.

Garth de Klerk, CEO of the ICB, says initial contact is usually made telephonically, where a criminal posing as an official informs victims their vehicle is being recalled.

“This is often followed up with a spoof email, with criminals going to great lengths to make their communication seem official. They convince vehicle owners that they shouldn’t drive their vehicle under any circumstances and make arrangements to collect it — most often using a tow truck,” says De Klerk.

A few days later, the owner would typically phone the dealership for an update, only to discover the vehicle has been stolen.

These crimes, where millions of rand have been lost, are likely driven by organised criminal syndicates. The end market of these syndicates varies but often high-end vehicles are taken across the border or shipped to other countries and sold there.

De Klerk says it’s surprisingly easy for criminals to get profiling details of an individual and the car they drive due to people often sharing too much information through social media platforms and telephonically — mostly through fake “market research calls”.

 Ricardo Coetzee, head of Auto & General Insurance, advises motorists to be vigilant.

“Always be alert, don’t trust too easily and do your homework, especially when large amounts of money or valuable possessions are concerned,” he says.

Motorists should take heed of the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:

— Limit the amount of personal information you share on social media and telephonically. Criminals use this to build a detailed profile of their victims.

— Be vigilant and maintain a healthy sense of scepticism when talking to strangers. Make every effort to verify that they are indeed who they say they are, and that they are an employee of the company they claim to represent.

— Check with the manufacturer and/or dealership directly to verify that the recall is legitimate. Don’t trust contact details provided by the person who called you.

— Report any suspicious calls to the authorities, the manufacturer and/or the dealership.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.