Similar to the Fixing dent in parking lot scam, this one usually happens when you get back to your car and turn on the engine. Somebody waves at you, approaches, and says there is smoke coming out of your car. “It looks ugly; I don’t think it is safe to drive it. Let me take a look at it, I think I know what it is”.

The scammer pretends to be a mechanic and says he’ll fix it for you, for almost nothing, just give him $20. What he does - as soon as you pop the hood - is to disable a fuse or tube in a second and then show it to you. The scammer targets people who are less mechanically inclined, especially women.

How to avoid: never believe anybody who is offering services in a parking lot.