Dealers urged to probe data hackers
Syndicate approaching clients with their details in bid to steal vehicles
A SECURITY expert has called for car dealerships to conduct investigations into the operations of a syndicate that accesses personal information of their clients in order to steal their vehicles.
The head of the crime and justice division at the Institute for Security Studies, Gareth Newham, suggested that dealerships should also get their IT departments to track down syndicates that could be hacking their systems.
The syndicate’s modus operandi includes pretending to have been sent by dealerships to conduct a systems upgrade on vehicles.
They approach vehicle owners with information about the vehicles’ registrations, the owners’ details and get them to hand over their keys.
Newham described the act as “organised crime” that was not risky for the syndicate, as they didn’t have to hijack the vehicle or be involved in any violent act.
He said it was concerning how the syndicate managed to get hold of personal details of the vehicle owner.
Newham said it either hacked into the dealership’s system and stole people’s information or there were people working within the dealerships who leaked customers’ information.
“In that case, the syndicate will approach somebody working in the dealership and offer them money in exchange for customers’ details. With those details, they make it sound authentic and make you believe that they’re truly from the dealership, which can lead you to handing over your keys to them,” said Newham.
He said the sophisticated syndicate was the one that hacked the system. “If people are involved in cybercrime, they can actually get to people’s databases and steal their money even from your bank.”
Newham advised unsuspecting customers to verify information with the dealership when they received suspicious calls.
Last week, The Star’s sister paper, The Mercury, spoke to a Ford Ranger owner who received a call from a person claiming to be from Ford, who told him that there was an emergency safety recall on all Rangers.
The person claimed that there was a steering box problem that locked the steering at speed.
Ford South Africa also confirmed that it was aware of such crime, warning customers to contact the dealerships.
Mercedes-Benz SA said it had come to its attention that there were unknown individuals posing as representatives of the company and targeting customers about the so-called outstanding recalls and service on their vehicles.
“We wish to impress upon you that Mercedes-Benz SA and the agent network would never arrange for the collections of your vehicle to action outstanding safety recalls or service measures,” said Mercedes-Benz SA.
They also advised their customers that should they receive communication pertaining to such things, or had any suspicion of fraudulent activities regarding their vehicle, they should immediately contact the nearest dealership or their customer assistants.
Toyota posted on its Facebook page, warning its customers to be aware that a scam was currently doing the rounds.
“Should there be a recall of Toyota vehicles or service campaigns of any kind, Toyota will not call you requesting the collection of your car.
“If you get a call from someone you believe is falsely claiming to be a Toyota employee, contact the dealership directly to validate the information,” wrote Toyota.