Greg's Corner

Tagged: fake car dealership Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on May 19, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: carfax, dealership cloning, fake car dealership, Scams ( 1,488 ), used car ( 39 )   

  CARFAX Scam Costs Buyer $45,000 

  

  By Greg Collier

  CARFAX has built a reputation as a trusted source for vehicle history reports, often used by consumers to make informed car-buying decisions. While the platform’s reports remain comprehensive and generally reliable, recent developments have raised concerns about how its site is being used by fraudsters in increasingly sophisticated ways.

  A consumer in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, fell victim to a vehicle scam that leveraged CARFAX listings to give the illusion of legitimacy. She and her husband were seeking a luxury SUV and located one on CARFAX listed for sale by what appeared to be a dealership based in Nebraska. Despite initial concerns about the distance, they were reassured by the dealership’s polished online presence and the fact that the listing originated from a site as widely trusted as CARFAX.

  The couple made direct contact with someone claiming to be the dealership owner. In an attempt to verify the car’s existence, they even requested a video of the vehicle. When the video arrived, they believed it was authentic and proceeded with the purchase. They wired $45,000 with the understanding that the vehicle would be shipped within a week. But the vehicle never came.

  It was later discovered that the couple had not been communicating with the actual dealership. The legitimate business did exist, but it had no online footprint and did not advertise on CARFAX. The real dealer confirmed multiple individuals had been scammed in his name, unaware that his business identity was being used by criminals.

  Investigators uncovered that this was part of a broader scheme known as dealership cloning. Fraudsters reportedly duplicate or closely imitate listings from real dealerships and create convincing websites to support the ruse. These listings are then promoted across various platforms, including those that consumers tend to trust without question.

  After the funds were transferred, the scammers disappeared, leaving the victims with no vehicle and little recourse. A second individual reported being defrauded out of $18,000 over the same vehicle posted on another site. The fake dealership’s website has since been removed, and local police are investigating, though details remain limited.

  This incident serves as a reminder that even when using well-known platforms, due diligence is essential. Experts recommend involving a reputable escrow service when purchasing a vehicle without seeing it in person. The outward appearance of legitimacy is no guarantee against fraud, especially as scammers grow more adept at mimicking credible businesses.

   

  Leave a ReplyCancel reply
• 

  Geebo 9:00 am on February 25, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: fake car dealership, impersonation scam ( 169 ), Scams ( 1,488 ), used car ( 39 ), wire transfer ( 5 )   

  Beware: Fake Car Dealership Scam Surge 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Scam alert stories have taken a new twist in Wisconsin, where a disturbing pattern of fraudulent car sales has emerged online. In recent developments, state transportation officials have observed a surge in deceptive practices by individuals posing as legitimate car dealerships. These con artists create polished online storefronts that mimic real businesses, using stock images and visuals of genuine vehicles to lure unsuspecting buyers into what appears to be a bargain.

  The fraudulent operations begin with an elaborate digital setup. Fake websites and social media profiles are crafted to look like authentic dealership pages, complete with images that lend an air of legitimacy. Vehicles are often advertised at prices that seem too enticing to pass up, which, in reality, serve as bait to draw in potential buyers. The entire transaction is managed remotely, without any face-to-face meeting or physical inspection of the vehicle, a detail that, under normal circumstances, should raise a few red flags.

  Once a prospective buyer is convinced by the attractive price and seamless online presentation, they are typically asked to complete a wire transfer. At that point, the scammer vanishes. Despite receiving documents that mimic a bill of sale, the buyer soon discovers that the vehicle either never existed or is impossible to retrieve. This pattern of deception highlights the sophisticated methods these fraudsters employ and underscores the need for caution when engaging in any transaction over the internet.

  Wisconsin officials are urging consumers to exercise extreme caution in every step of their purchase process. They advise that anyone considering a vehicle purchase from an online source should conduct thorough research and verification. Confirming the legitimacy of a business through official channels can save one from the significant financial and emotional toll of falling victim to such scams. Even when the offer appears to be a once-in-a-lifetime deal, it is crucial to trust one’s instincts and seek additional validation.

  The convenience of online transactions is often accompanied by hidden risks. The recent rise in fake car dealership scams serves as a stark reminder that a careful, measured approach is essential when dealing with unfamiliar entities online. Maintaining a healthy level of skepticism and taking the necessary steps to verify the authenticity of an offer can help ensure that what seems too good to be true doesn’t turn into a costly mistake.