Chelan County Sheriff’s Office following up with ongoing scam
information released
Sheriff Morrison reports Safelite AutoGlass alerted the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office about an ongoing scam targeting local residents seeking affordable auto glass replacement options. Safelite reported a disturbing trend of fraudulent activity on Facebook Marketplace involving their company.
The scam involves individuals or groups posing as Safelite technicians in an apparent effort to lure customers with offers of discounted glass replacement services. Victims are communicated with through Facebook Marketplace and instructed to schedule appointments and make payments via a third-party app. When the supposed technician arrives, the cost of the services is significantly higher than what was advertised, leaving customers in a difficult position since they have already paid.
In the past week alone, Safelite has identified five such incidents, with two more occurring this week. The company is working closely with law enforcement agencies in Chelan and Douglas County to address the issue but urges the community to be cautious.
The Sheriff’s Office suggest taking the following precautions to avoid falling victim scams such as these:
- Verify Contact Information: Always contact the company you are intending to do business with directly through their official website or customer service number to schedule appointments or make payments
- Be Wary of Unusual Payment Requests: Businesses do not typically ask for payments via third-party apps. If you receive such a request, it is likely a scam.
- Check Employee Credentials: Ensure that the employee arriving at your location or providing services is properly identified and affiliated with the company you intend to do business with.
