Chelan County Sheriff warns of auto glass scam

WENATCHEE — The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is warning North Central Washington residents about a scam targeting consumers seeking auto glass replacement services on Facebook Marketplace.

Sheriff Morrison reports that Safelite AutoGlass alerted the Chelan County Sheriff's Office about fraudulent activity involving individuals posing as Safelite technicians. These scammers are apparently attempting to lure customers with offers of discounted glass replacement services.

The Sheriff's Office explained that victims are contacted 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 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.

To protect residents from falling victim to such scams, the Sheriff's Office recommends several precautions:

1. Verify contact information by contacting the company directly through their official website or customer service number to schedule appointments or make payments.
2. Be wary of unusual payment requests, as businesses do not typically ask for payments via third-party apps.
3. Check employee credentials to ensure that the person providing services is properly identified and affiliated with the intended company.

Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.