Have you received an unsolicited message promising easy money by wrapping your car with an AutoZone advertisement? It sounds like a simple way to earn extra income, perhaps $500 a week, just by driving your usual routes. However, before you get too excited about this “Autozone Car Wrap Program,” it’s crucial to understand that you might be the target of a sophisticated scam.
Recently, a reader shared her experience of being targeted by fraudsters impersonating the well-known auto parts retailer, AutoZone. Her story serves as a critical warning to others who might encounter similar offers. The initial contact came via text message from an email address, an immediate red flag for anyone familiar with online scams. The message detailed an enticing proposition: get paid to have your car wrapped in an advertisement for AutoZone. To initiate the process, she was asked for personal information, including her car’s make and model, full name, address, mobile number, and email.
After providing these details, she received a follow-up email confirming her acceptance into the “AutoZone car wrap program.” The next step involved a financial transaction that should have raised immediate suspicion. She received a check for $2,950 with instructions to deposit it immediately. The email directed her to withdraw $550 for herself and send $980 to a supposed “detailer” in Wisconsin, despite her living in New York. Initially, the scammers requested the money transfer via Venmo, but upon learning she didn’t have the app, they switched to Walmart-2-Walmart, a money transfer service known to be favored by fraudsters.
Google search results for "AutoZone car wrap scam" showing multiple warnings and forum discussions
Fortunately, this individual was cautious. Although she deposited the check, which arrived in an envelope from Mesquite, Texas, she wisely waited for it to clear before sending any money. During this waiting period, she researched the “opportunity” online. A quick Google search for “AutoZone car wrap scam” revealed numerous warnings and discussions in online forums, confirming her suspicions. She realized it was indeed a scam and promptly notified her bank, avoiding any financial loss. She was lucky, but many others might not be.
How the AutoZone Car Wrap Scam Works
The core objective of this scam is to exploit the time it takes for banks to identify and reject fake checks. Scammers send a counterfeit check and instruct the victim to deposit it and then wire a portion of the money back to them or a third party, often disguised as a “detailer” responsible for applying the car wrap. Victims believe the deposited funds are real, but by the time the bank identifies the check as fraudulent, the victim has already sent real money to the scammers, leaving them liable for the bounced check and the lost funds. The “detailer” is non-existent; it’s just part of the scam setup.
While legitimate car wrap advertising programs do exist, they are typically initiated by reputable marketing companies or the brands themselves, not through unsolicited text messages or emails promising quick and easy cash. These legitimate programs also operate very differently and would never require you to send money to a third party.
This AutoZone car wrap scam is not an isolated incident. Truth in Advertising (TINA.org) has previously reported similar scams impersonating other well-known brands, including Monster Energy, Fiji Water, Fairlife Milk, and M&Ms. The pattern is consistent: fraudsters leverage the reputation of established companies to lure victims into their schemes.
Protecting Yourself from Car Wrap Scams
To avoid falling victim to car wrap scams, exercise caution and skepticism when encountering such offers, especially if they come unsolicited. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Verify Directly with AutoZone: If you receive an offer for an “AutoZone car wrap program,” contact AutoZone directly through their official website or customer service channels. Inquire if they indeed have such a program and if the offer is legitimate. Do not rely on contact information provided in the unsolicited message.
- Beware of Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of any offers that come via text message or email, especially if they promise easy money for minimal effort. Legitimate companies rarely initiate marketing campaigns in this manner.
- Red Flags: Watch out for these common scam indicators:
- Contact from email addresses rather than official company channels.
- Requests for personal information upfront.
- Instructions to deposit a check and wire a portion of the funds elsewhere.
- Pressure to act quickly.
- Poor grammar and unprofessional communication.
- Never Send Money: A legitimate car wrap program will never require you to send money to a “detailer” or any third party. If you are asked to do so, it is undoubtedly a scam.
- Research Online: If an offer seems suspicious, do a quick online search using keywords like “[brand name] car wrap scam” to see if others have reported similar scams.
Before providing any personal information or taking any action, always verify the legitimacy of any car wrap program directly with the company in question. Staying informed and cautious is your best defense against these deceptive scams.
Check back for updates as TINA.org has reached out to AutoZone for comment.
Find more of our coverage on car wrap scams here.
