Body Shop Targeted in Check Theft Scam - BodyShop Business

Body Shop Targeted in Check Theft Scam

A group of thieves is believed to be preying on small business owners in Rhode Island and New York, and at least one body shop owner has been targeted. But thanks to his observations, police were able to track down and arrest a woman believed to be involved with the thefts.

Paul Furtado, owner of The Car Works in Warren, Rhode Island, told police that he discovered several company checks were missing in late March after a bank employee called to tell him a check from his shop for $3,600 bounced, EastBayRI.com reported. Furtado discovered that two other checks were missing from his office, and, knowing neither he nor his employees were responsible, he immediately suspected a group of men – one with gold teeth – who visited the shop in March.

During the visit, one of the men asked Furtado to inspect a Ford Expedition, while the other two men stayed behind in the shop’s office area. Suspicious of the visitors, Furtado wrote down their license plate number as they drove away and gave it to police after he found out about the bounced check, the Web site reported.

Police traced the license plate to an area rental car company and used surveillance to identify a woman from Georgia renting the Expedition with the man with gold teeth. Police believe the group is involved with other check larceny cases that happened in New York in April. In once incident, three men bought a suit for a homeless man and asked him to cash what is believed to be stolen checks. Police claim the arrested woman also rented a car for the men in New York.

Click HERE for the full story.

Click HERE to read about a phone scam targeting body shops.

You May Also Like

Body Bangin’: The Disengagement Epidemic with Kevin Wolfe

Micki Woods interviews Leaders Way Owner Kevin Wolfe on why 73% of work professionals are disengaged today and what we can do about it.

Micki Woods, master marketer for collision repair shops and owner of Micki Woods Marketing, has released the latest episode of "Body Bangin'," the video podcast that is taking the industry by storm!

In this episode, Woods interviews Kevin Wolfe, owner of Leaders Way and former mechanical shop owner, on how he became the shop everyone wanted to work at. Wolfe also points out that 73% of work professionals today are disengaged — an all-time high — and discusses why that is and how we can fix that.

Body Bangin’: I Thought We Were Doing It Right with Josh Piccione

Micki Woods interviews Josh Piccione on repairing vehicles correctly — according to manufacturer guidelines.

Body Bangin’: Be a Star Not a Hamster with Robert Snook

Micki Woods interviews popular keynote speaker Robert Snook on how to differentiate and grow your business.

Body Bangin’: Know Me, Know My Car with Mike Anderson

Micki Woods interviews Mike Anderson on the importance of building an emotional connection with your customers.

Body Bangin’: Fighting for Consumer Safety with Burl Richards

Micki Woods interviews Burl Richards on his personal mission to fight for consumers’ rights and safety.

Other Posts

Body Bangin’: The Employer-Student Disconnect

Micki Woods interviews Raven Hartkopf, lead collision instructor at Collin College in Texas, on what students want from a shop employer.

Body Bangin’: Why Follow OEM Repair Procedures?

Micki Woods interviews Logan Payne of Payne & Sons Paint & Body Shop on the importance of following OEM repair procedures.

Body Bangin’: Getting Paid for Calibrations

Micki Woods interviews Andy Hipwell and James Rodis of OEM Calibration on how to get started doing ADAS calibrations.

Body Bangin’: What Are The Consolidators Up To With Laura Gay

Micki Woods interviews Laura Gay of Consolidation Coach on the current state of auto body shop consolidation.