Spring Cleaning, Not Spring Scamming

With spring upon us and summer on the horizon, many are cleaning their homes and getting their cars ready for upcoming adventures.

We all know how expensive car repairs can get which makes hiring mobile mechanics enticing. Without any overhead, freelancing mechanics can appear to have low prices, but be cautious of a deal that sounds too good to be true.

Some people have reported being ripped off by mechanics from sites such as Craigslist. Across the country people report paying a "mechanic" up front and later realizing nothing was done to the car.

AAA has a few helpful tips to avoid being scammed by mobile mechanics:

1. Make sure they have a truck full of professional tools, not just some wrenches and screwdrivers.
2.  Do some research first by getting a mechanic's address and using online search tools as well as sites like BBB and Angie's List for any complaints or recommendations.
3. Ask if they take credit cards; most legitimate mechanics do.  A credit card charge can be disputed, and with cash, it's gone.
4. Ask for professional references.
5.  Check out AAA approved auto repair shops: http://midatlantic.aaa.com/Automotive/ApprovedAutoRepair