How Virginia Tire Aims to Get More Women into Auto Repair

on unsuspecting victims like vultures,” said NICB President and CEO David Glawe. “This is not the time to let your guard down. Stay vigilant and protect yourself and your loved ones from these criminals.”

Before hiring a contractor, call your insurance company. There is no need to rush into an agreement with a contractor who solicits your repair work, especially if it was not requested.

NICB suggests you consider these tips before hiring a contractor: • Get more than one estimate. • Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations should be detailed and itemized. • Request references and do the research. Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license and write down the license number and their vehicle’s license plate number. • Look out for out-of-state contractor licenses, as well as vehicle registrations, as these may also indicate possible fraudulent contractors. • Never sign a contract with blanks; terms you don’t agree with can be added later. • Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is finished. • Ensure reconstruction is up to current code. • Make sure you review and understand all documents sent to your insurance carrier. Signing an Assignment of

Benefits agreement transfers your insurance rights to the contractor.

Know what that means for you. • Never let a contractor pressure you into making a quick decision or hiring them. • Never let a contractor interpret the language of your insurance policy. • Never let a contractor discourage you from contacting your insurance company. Contact your insurance company first. • Remember, if you didn’t request it, reject it!

Furthermore, some deceitful contractors will state they are supported by the government. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not endorse individual contractors or loan agencies. Always request official identification from those claiming to represent governmental agencies. Consumers should call FEMA for more specifics at (800) 621-FEMA.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB or report it here.

— Source: NICB

More Than a Dozen People Busted in Million Dollar Car Theft Ring in Florida

By Elizabeth Puckett

Motorious

Miami-Dade police have arrested more than a dozen people believed to be connected with a Florida car theft ring.

The grand theft arrests come after months of investigating. Miami-Dade Det. Luis Sierra said they began receiving calls from the Sea Port Operations detectives about cars being shipped out of the state. “It’s been a very organized group of criminals that have been renting out cars and getting cars by other means and re-VIN-ing them. and in fact trying to re-sell them to dealerships throughout the state and throughout the country,” Sierra said. “It’s been several cars, a bit over $1 million in automobile sales.”

Fake titles allowed the crew to sell the stolen cars to AutoNation Ford in Miami, AutoNation Chevy in Coral Gables and a Doral CarMax.

“AutoNation fully supports law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute any form of fraud related to motor vehicles, titling and affiliated records. We want to make sure consumers are protected,” AutoNation said.

“Goes to show you we are in Miami and unfortunately there is a lot of fraud here,” Sierra said. “How they were able to sell these cars and make them legit is something that we are still trying to figure out.”

Police are still looking for three men, as well as looking for more victims.

“You need to be very careful when you buy something. You need to check, double check and triple check. You do not want to be a victim of fraud,” Sierra said.

“You need to be very careful when you buy something. You need to check, double check and triple check. You do not want to be a victim of fraud,””

— LUIS SIERRA

MIAMI-DADE DETECTIVE

By Jeff Clabaugh

WTOP News

McLean, VA-based Virginia Tire & Auto started a recruiting campaign in January specifically to attract more women to the auto repair business.

Co-CEO Julie Holmes said she has recruited 31 women since then, for roles that include technicians, sales and administration. Now, Holmes is launching a scholarship for women entering the industry. The Women in Automotive scholarship will provide up to three scholarships for postsecondary education for candidates planning to attend an ASE-certified auto technology program. The scholarships are worth up to $2,500 per candidate for one semester of tuition and materials.

The scholarships will be awarded to young women who are high school seniors. Those who maintain a minimum grade-point average and meet other requirements may keep the scholarship across multiple semesters. The scholarships do not have any postcertification commitment to work specifically for Virginia Tire.

Auto technician jobs require much more than mechanical skills. Today’s vehicles are really rolling computers. “To be able to work on today’s cars, you have to be highly technical and highly skilled. Our technicians are effectively applying scientific method as they go through the diagnostic process. We say if you want a career in high tech, that’s this. This is auto repair,” Holmes said. Auto technician jobs pay well. In fact, very well.

“We have technicians who are making over $200,000 a year, and many that are making more than $100,000 or $150,000. The money is there for those who have the ability to solve these problems. And like any career where you can solve a problem, you are rewarded and compensated well,” Holmes said.

Virginia Tire is one of the largest women-owned businesses in the D.C. region. Half of its roughly 270 employees are women. The 46-year-old company opened its 17th location in Northern Virginia earlier this year, and expanded outside of Northern Virginia in 2019 with a location in the Richmond area.

THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE PERFECT FINISH.

Check out MoparRepairConnect.com for resources, promotions and technical information.

Protect Your Customer’s Investment With Original Mopar® Parts

Authentic Mopar® Parts are built to fit perfectly and function properly every time. This ensures your customers are getting the highest quality parts manufactured to meet the original specifications and safety standards of their vehicle. Providing more peace of mind for each customer you serve.

BENCHMARK AUTOMOTIVE

1837 Grants Mill Road Birmingham, AL 35210

Toll-Free: (800) 633-4304 Local: (205) 823-5237 Fax: (888) 815-5238 Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.