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Unlicensed Auto Body Repair Shop Owner Busted for Fraud

Arrest underscores DCA efforts to halt unlicensed operators

POMONA — A Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) investigation led to the arrest Wednesday of the owner of Sunny Body and Paint, an unregistered auto body repair shop in Pomona. Jose Luis Escobedo, 51, of Pomona, is accused of defrauding both consumers and insurers, in addition to operating without a license.

The investigation began when the Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) received a complaint from a customer who thought he may have been the victim of fraud. After BAR did a post-repair inspection of the customer's vehicle, they found evidence that Escbedo had claimed to have provided $1,125.35 in parts and labor, defrauding both the customer and his insurance company.

At a press conference in front of Escobedo's body shop, DCA Director Carrie Lopez said authorities don't yet know how many other customers may have been involved.

"If you have had repairs done at Sunny Body and Paint, then you may also have paid for parts you didn't receive or labor that wasn't performed," said Director Lopez. "We're asking anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact the Department of Consumer Affairs."

Lopez also pointed to today's arrest as an important lesson for consumers.

"Most businesses and professionals do a good job of providing services that benefit consumers," said Lopez. "Today's arrest is a vivid example of why it is important for consumers to make certain they are doing business only with registered businesses and licensed professionals. This individual was not only unlicensed, but unscrupulous as well."

Lopez also pointed out that unlicensed activity is by no means confined to auto body repair. "Doing business with an unlicensed operator, whether an unregistered auto body shop, an unlicensed contractor or an unlicensed health care provider is dangerous business," she said. "Educating consumers to check for licenses is a number one priority and the best defense against unlicensed practice."

Consumers can find out the status of a license, get information or file a complaint by calling the Department of Counsumer Affairs hotline at 1-800-952-5210 or on the DCA website at www.dca.ca.gov.

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