San Antonio Faces New Dumpster Rental Scam
San Antonio is currently grappling with a rising scam that has begun to target the dumpster rental industry. What may start as a seemingly fantastic deal online can quickly spiral into a nightmare, leaving many homeowners stuck with unwanted dumpsters in their front yards.
The Scam Unveiled
The scheme has gathered steam over the past few months, ensnaring at least three different groups of victims: the original cardholder whose credit card was stolen, the dumpster rental business, and the unsuspecting homeowner looking for a reasonable service.
As per Wyatt Koch, the General Manager and Partner of VaVia San Antonio, “One lady that we talked to…she was out over $1,500 and that was in the span of eight days.” This incident highlights the extent of the financial burden that this scam is inflicting on individuals.
How It Works
Typically, the scam starts when consumers see alluringly low prices for dumpster rentals on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor. Unsuspecting customers jump at the chance to secure a fantastic deal. But behind the scenes lurks a criminal who poses as a legitimate business.
Customers pay for the service using platforms like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, thinking they’re getting a great deal. However, unbeknownst to them, the scammer orders the dumpster using a stolen credit card. “So the credit card company pulls the money back from us and the customer who has the dumpster has the dumpster that hasn’t been paid for,” explains Mike Wright, President of VaVia San Antonio. The end result is that the dumpster rental company ends up footing the bill, while the scammer walks away with easy cash.
The Impact on Businesses
VaVia San Antonio, like many other local businesses, began noticing irregularities in their finances when money for services via credit card transactions began disappearing. Mike Wright added, “We’ve probably been hurt in the thousands of dollars.”
To make matters worse, customers’ calls keep coming in. Wright shared that they receive “two of these calls a day,” and sorting through the confusion eats up valuable time that could be spent attending to legitimate orders.
Identification and Prevention
Fortunately, the leadership at VaVia has made strides in identifying these bogus bookings through their online order portal. This tool tracks the location of the orders, allowing them to catch many fraudulent attempts before they escalate. However, the calls continue to flood in, causing significant distress for both the business and the customers.
Advice from the Better Business Bureau
In this situation, local Better Business Bureau representative Jason Meza advises the public to be cautious. He mentions that scams like this are common “when a local company represents,” which can create a false sense of legitimacy.
Meza states that it’s essential for businesses to verify customer identities before proceeding with transactions. “It’s okay to ask for a few more details like a name, address, and zip code,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of legitimacy in transactions.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you or someone you know has fallen prey to this scheme, it’s vital to report the crime to the police and file a claim with the Better Business Bureau. Awareness and vigilance are key tools in reducing the impact of these scams.
In closing, the dumpster rental scam circulating in San Antonio serves as a crucial reminder to everyone. The online world may seem full of amazing deals, but it’s important to stay vigilant and informed in order to protect ourselves from becoming victims of these clever scams.
