Hemet driving school closes without notifying customers

HEMET, Calif. (KABC) -- Zoom Zoom Driving School in Hemet has shut down, and the owner did not notify customers about the closure.

Now customers like Corey Martinak, who worked odd jobs to save up for lessons, is out of luck.

"I didn't get any time to work because I was in two full-time sports, so every buck I got, I saved it," he said.

The 16-year-old's mother, Elizabeth Clark, contacted Eyewitness News on Facebook using #ABC7eyewitness. Her son paid $210 in cash for three two-hour lessons.

He completed only one of the lessons before the school suddenly closed.

Owner Sylvia Abrajan was not on site to speak with customers or give them their money back. The company's website only states it is out of business.

But there is another way for customers to get their money back.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which licenses driving schools, the company had to be bonded.

Customers can file a claim with the bonding company, according to the agency. They can contact Developer Surety & Indemnity Co. at 17780 Fitch, Suite 200 in Irvine or call (800) 782-1546.

Customers filing the claim should reference policy #250250C and they must reference the effective date of the bond, which is March 15, 2011.

But Corey said even if he gets a refund he is back at square one. Still, he is hopeful that by October he'll be driving himself around town.

Eyewitness News reached out to Abrajan, but did not receive a response.