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CAWA
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 14 - 15, 2006
CAWA Board Meeting
Horton Grand
San Diego, CA
Register Now!
October 29 - 30, 2006
CAWA Board Meeting and Annual Dinner
Westin Casuarina
Las Vegas, NV
Register Now!
CAWA
11160 Sun Center Dr.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: (916) 635-9774
(800) 332-2292
Fax: (916) 635-9995
Email: programs@cawa.org
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Last February, we alerted the CAWA membership of
a parts purchasing scam that was targeting jobbers in California, Nevada,
and around the country. As many of our members have learned first
hand, these scams continue, but by being aware, they have prevented what
could have been a costly mistake.
The inquiries are by fax,
email, and telephone relay services.
The orders tend to be for large quantities of auto parts ranging from
spark plugs, to tires, and any part that they can get with an overnight
delivery. In many cases, they will inform you that they will take
"what ever you might have in stock" and ask for you to inform them of "the
type of credit card you accept."
The orders are paid by a
valid credit card that is later discovered stolen. Orders are placed, shipped within 24
hours, and then turned around and shipped out of the country - mainly
Nigeria. Orders have exceeded
$7,000, which is costly to any business.
Although not all
requests are fraudulent, these items should send up a “Red Flag” and require further verification:
- Inquiring by phone relay service, fax, or email (especially those
requesting response via fax or email)
- Large quantity requests.
- Overnight delivery/urgency.
- Willingness to get a different part than originally requested
since it is available.
- Paying by credit card.
- Overseas delivery.
If you have received
an order or inquiry that sends up a red flag, follow these steps:
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Contact the credit card company to verify ALL
contact information; i.e. name, address. For VISA and Mastercard, contact
your credit card processor (NOVA 800-725-1243) Discover (800-347-2000)
American Express (800-528-5200).
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Try to hold the order for 24 hours, giving the
credit card holder time to report the card stolen.
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Try to deal directly by phone and ask
questions (most transactions are not taking place with a personal contact
and the transaction is “halted” as soon as personal contact is requested).
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Any doubt, do not make the sale and do not
ship the product.
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Collect as much information as possible; i.e.
contact, name on card, shipping address, etc, and
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Contact the Sacramento FBI office at
916-481-9110 to report information if you find it suspicious.
And finally, do not
be a victim yourself. If you
find your credit card has been lost/stolen, here are a few steps to take to
protect yourself.
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Keep a copy of all credit
cards and wallet contents, front & back. You will know what you had in
your wallet, plus all account numbers and phone numbers to call and
cancel. (keep the copy in a safe place at home).
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Do not sign your credit
cards. Instead, put “photo ID
required.”
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Cancel credit cards
immediately.
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File a police report
immediately in the jurisdiction where your cards were lost or stolen.
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Call the three national
credit reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on your name and
social security number. The
alert means that any company checking your credit knows your information
was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
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Social Security Administration (fraud line):
800-269-0271
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Equifax: 800-525-6285
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Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
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Trans Union: 800-680-7289
"CAWA, We're In Business To Keep You In Business"
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