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Police: Loveland Emissions Workers Swindled Drivers

LOVELAND, Colo. (CBS4) - Dozens of drivers getting emissions tests for their cars apparently also got swindled when they paid for the test.

Two employees of the emissions testing facility in Loveland are under investigation and may soon face felony charges.

Police say the fraud happened when customers got an emissions test and paid by credit card. Air Care Colorado runs the site and says the two employees would swipe credit cards twice, and then at the end of the day would take cash out to make the books balance.

Envirotest says the scam had been going on for about 6 weeks before it was discovered by company bookkeepers and a customer at about the same time. Now the company is contacting an estimated 30 to 40 victims to let them know that they double paid the $25 fee for their emissions test.

The employees under investigation include a 21-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman who were both arrested and released as police are still putting together charges in the case.

Police in Loveland say the employees were partly motivated by anger after their work hours were reduced recently.

"My understanding from the detective is that they were probably a little bit down on their luck, needed some extra money," Sgt. Jeff Fischer with Loveland police said. "There was some information that they were somewhat disgruntled with the business."

Envirotest said they have now added two steps to the process of taking payments to prevent the same thing from happening in the future.

Victims of the fraud will not only get their money refunded, but they will also receive a coupon for a free emissions test.

Charges are expected against the suspects either later this week or early next week.

Link: Air Care Colorado

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