Seniors are prime targets for auto repair scams

Can it be true that tomorrow is the start of 2008? Incredible as that seems, it also is true that we all will become one year older sometime in this coming year.

Our column has dispensed much ink in the past year encouraging family members to keep an eye on senior family members who are often susceptible to telephone, Internet or mail scam artists. These crooks understand that those of advanced years are often the most susceptible to their felonious scam pitches. It is helpful when caring family members supervise their loved ones or filter out these predatory pitchmen.

Recently, another way that seniors become rip-off targets was brought to our attention: auto repair shops taking advantage of senior car owners.

A Bangor businessman called our Northeast CONTACT office and asked for the executive director. Having an errand to run, I stopped by his place of business to answer his phone call.

“Gerry, do I look senile?”

“No, Mr. C., you don’t look a day over 50.”

“Well, I’m hopping mad that a local tire store sales representative told me my tires were worn and all four needed to be replaced. I told him that I was not ready for that kind of investment and immediately left his shop. Then I drove to Sears Automotive, which was nearby, and asked them to [check] my tires for wear. Sears assured me I had quite a margin of tread above the legal minimum limit and they assuredly did not need to be replaced now.

“In addition to being quite angry about the attempt to con me into an unnecessary sale by the XYZ tire company, I worried that other seniors, particularly women, might easily fall prey to such a scam, and needlessly spend hundreds of dollars for tires that were not needed.”

Many of us with elderly loved ones worry greatly over them driving on the road. Now we can also worry about them at the repair shop and being sold who-knows-what for repairs and parts that may or may not be necessary for the senior-mobile.

What is the alpha family member to do to curb father’s repair challenges? How about starting with a family discussion? Should the senior driver still be driving? Is he willing to retire from behind the wheel? These questions are often very difficult and anxiety-provoking for all participants. If the senior is still interested in “happy motoring,” will he delegate car repairs to a responsible family member?

Whatever the outcome of these weighty discussions and whoever is going to be ultimately responsible for repairs, here are a few helpful suggestions:

. If you are in doubt about any automotive repair, get a second opinion before going ahead with the work.

. Keep good repair records.

. Find a quality general car repair shop and stick with it through thick and thin. These professionals will learn the history of your vehicle and can save literally hundreds of dollars in repairs. Trying to solve mechanical problems on an unknown vehicle is difficult for even the most seasoned mechanic. Develop a good relationship and then stick with it.

. Develop a preventive maintenance program for the vehicle. Preventing auto breakdowns is always preferred to an unplanned breakdown along the highway. These breakdowns often happen at night when it is cold or snowing or both. This is not the place we want our beloved senior family member to be. Wandering around a broken-down vehicle on the interstate can be fatal.

. Provide Gramps with a cell phone and show him how to use it. When he is at the repair shop or the family chariot just died in traffic, he can call his lifeline for assistance. Having a AAA card is also good insurance against breakdowns. Buy the coverage and program the company’s phone number and that of the favored local towing service into the cell phone.

. Public transportation and “Zipcars” are other potential options, perhaps for discussion in a future column. Meanwhile, let’s do our best to keep our beloved gray panthers rolling along safely and out of the clutches of the flimflam auto repairman.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcome to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.