What is the ‘wobbly wheel’ scam duping drivers — and how can you avoid getting conned?

Drivers in Houston are falling victim to the ‘wobbly wheel’ scam, the latest coming after a man and woman were arrested for duping drivers under false pretenses, Houston police said.

Paul Yonko, 36, and Suellen Stanley, 57, are in custody, but four other suspects are believed to have fled to Michigan, authorities said in a news release.

Suspects Paul Yonko, Sam Yonko, 31, Nick Stanley, 29, Sue-Ellen Stanley, 38, and Monica Mito, 31, face charges of engaging in organized crime, Houston police said.

Suellen Staley is in jail in Michigan and awaiting extradition to Houston, where she faces charges of felony theft, engaging in organized crime and robbery, authorities said.

The suspects “are linked to more than 24 cases and have swindled more than $8,000 from victims,” according to the news release.

Wobby wheel scammers dupe victims by honking their horn or trying to catch the driver’s attention to tell them their front wheel is loose.

“If the victim pulls over and off the roadway, the suspects convince the victim the wheel could be fixed with a vehicle part they happened to have with them,” the city said. “The suspects then ask to be reimbursed for the part. After ‘repairing’ the wheel, the suspects drive the victim, in vehicles resembling a white Subaru, a silver Ford or tan Toyota Camry, to a bank or ask for payment in gift cards,” authorities said.

The scammers “seem friendly and helpful,” authorities said, but if a victim fails to have the money to pay, “the suspects become forceful and even threatening.”

How do you avoid being scammed?

“Thank the individual but tell them no thank you,” Det. Tom Ferguson of the Major Offenders Swindle Unit said. “Call a tow truck. If you feel unsafe, call police. If I don’t feel my wheel shaking or my car starting to shake, I’m not pulling over for anyone.”