Known PDR Scam Locations

We have experienced, or received reports of, paintless dent removal scams in the following cities:

Have you been a victim of a paintless dent repair scam? Let us know! Send all the details, with photos if possible.

What is Paintless Dent Removal?

Paintless Dent Removal (PDR), also known Paintless Dent Repair, is the process of removing dents from the body panels of a car using specialized tools and techniques. A skilled PDR technician can save you thousands in body shop fees, because no bondo, sanding, or painting are required to remove the dents. They literally "pop" the dents out and re-shape the metal back to its factory state. While there are many honest PDR professionals out there, there are plenty of scammers too.

How the Paintless Dent Removal Scam Works

  1. A man posing as a Paintless Dent Removal expert, usually with an accomplice, spots a dent on your car and drives up to you asking if you'd like it removed. They usually strike in parking lots or at gas stations. They promise it will take just a few minutes, and if you're happy you don't have to pay.
  2. While the accomplice distracts you, or while you finish pumping gas/shopping, the "expert" uses a rod to try and push out the dent. When you're not looking, the accomplice waxes over the poorly repaired area and claims the wax must remain on for several hours or the paint will crack. This of course leaves you unable to judge the quality of their work.
  3. The scammers assure you the dent came out perfect, tell you to call them if you have any concerns and they hand you a fake business card. You pay the men, and they drive off never to be seen again. You later remove the wax to reveal a terrible repair job, sometimes even worse than the dent originally was.

This scam has been around for decades, and has occurred throughout the US. If you'd like more details, read about my own personal experience with a Paintless Dent Removal Scam in Santa Clara, CA. I was a victim in April of 2013, and started this web site to educate people about the scam so that they won't fall victim to it. I also wanted to provide people with a forum to report scammers and post their personal experiences with PDR scams.

Sadly, many police departments will not do anything to pursue or arrest the PDR scammers; believe me, I've tried. My local police department claimed that the scammers did not commit fraud, because I entered into a verbal agreement with them to perform a service and they did attempt to provide a service. They recommended that I pursue civil action against the scammers (i.e. take them to court), which is typically not possible because the suspects cannot be located. Nonetheless, if you think you've been the victim of a paintless dent removal scam, you should contact your local police department. If they get enough phone calls, you never know, maybe they'll do something about it. Also, if you've got the time, notify local news stations and newspapers, they tend to be receptive about matters that affect the community. And of course E-mail Us the details so that we can help get the word out, too.