“Buyer beware” if you’re looking for a new dive computer.
Some diving shops are being targeted by organized crime groups that are purchasing dive computers with stolen credit cards. Garmin diving computers were seized for over $4000 and the fraudsters have struck at least two other dive shops one of which has lost over $10,000. When the cardholders detect the theft, they report it. Small businesses lose money as well as the product. Because this involves credit card fraud, apparently for these dive shops insurance does not cover this type of theft. For most card holders in Canada, from my personal experience the company will cover the fraudulent transaction. The dive shops are not so lucky.
The Scuba News Canada cannot confirm the location of these shops, but Blue Planet located in Washington, D.C. broke this story. It is unknown if any of these stolen dive computers have made their way into Canada.
Please don’t buy a dive computer from anyone who isn’t a certified dealer. If the price looks too good to be true, it’s most likely a stolen item. There will be no warranty on these stolen computers.
The following is a list of the stolen merchandise from three stores, along with their serial numbers. There could be more. Please let the authorizes know if you come across one of these.
- Shearwater Teric Black #70AEC420
- Shearwater Perdix #33409A09
- Shearwater Perdix AI #33409A7E
- Shearwater Teric Black/Silver #2EA388B8
- Shearwater Teric Black/Blue #60445B44
- Shearwater Transmitter #250880
- Shearwater Transmitter #221628
- Shearwater Teric Black #70AEC420
- Shearwater Perdix #33409A09
- Shearwater Perdix AI #33409A7E
- Shearwater Teric Black/Silver #2EA388B8
- Shearwater Teric Black/Blue #60445B44
- Shearwater Transmitter #250880
- Shearwater Transmitter #221628
- Shearwater Transmitter #249444
- Garmin Descent #5WJ000545
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW015243
- Garmin Descent #5Wj000543
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW015252
- Garmin Descent MK2S #6K4000501
- Garmin Descent MK2S #6K7004169
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW0137622
- Descent Mk2i Titanium #5WH005963
If any Canadians come across any of the above dive computers, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post so that others may be informed.
“Caveat Emptor“
Article idea submitted by Helen Cooper, Owner/Manager at Dive Brockville Adventure Centre
