It happens more than it should. You find a mobile mechanic on Facebook, they seem legit, you hand over a deposit or pay in full, and then — nothing. Phone goes to voicemail. Messages left on read. They're gone.
Here's what to do, in the right order.
Step 1: Document Everything Right Now
Before you do anything else, screenshot and save:
- All messages and texts with the mechanic
- Any photos they sent you, or photos of the work (or lack of it)
- Payment confirmation from Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or whatever you used
- Their name, profile link, and any business name they gave you
- The date, time, and location of the job
The more documentation you have, the more options you'll have later. Do this immediately — social media profiles disappear fast when someone knows they've been reported.
Step 2: Try to Contact Them One More Time, in Writing
Send a written message (text or email) stating the work was not completed, you are requesting a refund by a specific date, and that you will be filing reports if you don't hear back. Keep it factual and non-threatening. This creates a record that you tried to resolve it first.
Step 3: File a Police Report
Yes, even if you don't expect police to recover your money. A police report:
- Creates an official record of the fraud
- Is required for some payment disputes
- Can help if others report the same person and a pattern emerges
Go to your local police department or file online if your jurisdiction allows it.
Step 4: Dispute the Payment
This depends on how you paid:
- Credit card — File a chargeback immediately. This is your strongest option. Dispute based on "services not rendered."
- Debit card — Contact your bank. Some banks will dispute debit transactions, especially with a police report.
- Cash App / Venmo / Zelle — These are harder. File a dispute through the app's support, but don't expect much. This is why cash apps are a red flag.
- Cash — Unfortunately, very difficult to recover. The police report and small claims court are your main paths.
Step 5: Report to Your State Attorney General
Every state has a consumer protection division. File a complaint at your state AG's website. This matters because:
"One complaint rarely triggers action. Ten complaints about the same person? That's an investigation."
Your report could be the one that puts this person on an official radar.
Step 6: File a BBB Complaint
The Better Business Bureau isn't a law enforcement body, but complaints are public and indexed by search engines. It creates a findable record tied to their name or business name.
Step 7: Leave Honest Reviews Everywhere You Can
- The Facebook group or Marketplace listing where you found them
- Google, if they have any business presence
- Nextdoor
- Yelp
Be factual. State what happened, what you paid, what work was not done. Don't editorialize. Factual reviews are harder to get removed and more useful to other people.
Step 8: Report to EthicalMechanic.org
EthicalMechanic.org maintains a database of reported mechanics. Submitting a report here helps other drivers in your area avoid the same person before they get scammed.
A Note on Small Claims Court
If you know the person's real name and have their address (or can find it), small claims court is a legitimate option for amounts up to your state's limit. It costs very little to file and you don't need a lawyer. You probably won't be able to collect even if you win — but a judgment on record is still meaningful.
Getting scammed is infuriating. The best you can do is make sure it costs the scammer as much friction as possible, and protect the next person.