Ableworld chargeback fraudster

After being warned of a potential scammer targeting mobility retailers last week by Ableworld’s Managing Director Mike Williams, the suspected fraudster has been sighted in Glasgow this weekend attempting to purchase a specific folding scooter from retailer Mobility Solutions.

Kieron Macfarlane, Head of Retail at Mobility Solutions, informed THIIS that the same individual identified in Ableworld’s CCTV picture (above) entered its Glasgow showroom and tried to purchase a Monarch Smarti folding scooter.

The attempt continues the fraudster’s modus operandi, targeting mobility retailers and seemingly exclusively interested in this specific model of mobility scooter, leading many in the industry to suspect that the individual is somehow involved in the trade.

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“We have informed local mobility retailers and contacted the police,” Kieron told THIIS.

“Apparently he was at Ableworld Paisley before us.”

According to Mike Williams, who originally notified the trade of the scammer, the ‘Smarti scammer’ seems to be aiming to commit a chargeback fraud, purchasing the mobility scooter using a credit card and then having the full-price of the device refunded by his credit card provider whilst still retaining the product.

The report by Mobility Solutions on the weekend follows a number of mobility retailers highlighting that the man, whose identity remains unknown, has attempted the same activity in their stores.

The recent attempts by the folding scooter fraudster have brought attention to the number of attempted scams that are targeted at the mobility industry for high ticket items such as mobility scooters, with many seeming to take place online and over the phone.

According to Kieron, this attempt is just one of many over recent weeks: “We’ve been targeted in the past four/week weeks. We’ve had an attempt on five Smartis now, 2 Go-Go Sports and a Revo 2.0. All payments over the phone apart from the guy from today.

“Thankfully we never released anything for delivery or it could have cost us over £10k! Police are investigating as we have recorded calls and delivery addresses for the items.”

Part of the multi-million-pound Allied Vehicles Group, Mobility Solutions supplies a vast range of mobility products including mobility scooters, powerchair, daily living aids and accessible vehicle from its Glasgow and Clyde Valley showrooms.

If the Smarti scammer has entered your showroom, please contact Calvin Barnett at calvin@thiis.co.uk to share the location with other mobility dealers in the industry.

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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ableworld-fraudster.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ableworld-fraudster-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettNewsroomRetailer NewsAbleworld,Allied Vehicles Group,charge back,Clyde Valley,fraud,Glasgow,Go-Go Sport,Kieron Macfarlane,Mike Williams,mobility dealers,mobility retailer,mobility showroom,Mobility Solutions,Monarch Smarti,retail,Revo 2.0After being warned of a potential scammer targeting mobility retailers last week by Ableworld’s Managing Director Mike Williams, the suspected fraudster has been sighted in Glasgow this weekend attempting to purchase a specific folding scooter from retailer Mobility Solutions. Kieron Macfarlane, Head of Retail at Mobility Solutions, informed THIIS that...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals