Better Business Bureau®Serving Greater Cleveland has recently received numerous inquiries and a Scam Tracker® report about a locally-based online vehicle dealership specializing in collector vehicles. The company is named Amherst Classic Cars and claims to be located at a South Dewey Road address in Amherst, Ohio. Consumers report attempting to purchase classic cars from online listings posted by the company on Facebook and their website. These consumers were asked to wire money for vehicles but became suspicious after the seller could not provide details or schedule timely appointments to see vehicles for sale.
Reports have come from all over the country. A woman from New Mexico contacted BBB after she became suspicious of a transaction for a pristine black 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS for $29,253, including shipping, with extremely low mileage. The woman assisted family members with purchasing the vehicle from Amherst Classic Cars. Still, she became leery after receiving a generic-looking company invoice and instructions to wire the total amount directly to a Citibank account based in Illinois, not Ohio. The seller was also unable to answer questions regarding details about the vehicle. The woman then contacted BBB, where she was advised it was a scam. Fortunately for the consumer’s family, the woman “got involved in this transaction because my brother and sister-in-law were purchasing the vehicle from them, and I was the middle person helping them negotiate the transaction. They know me to be very careful about these things and I tend to do more research and ask many more questions to ensure business is legitimate.” The woman said that her family found the website and Facebook pages (listed as “Amherst Car Sale”) while doing a Google search to find a hot rod to purchase.
BBB reached out to an industrial maintenance business reportedly located at the same address as Amherst Classic Cars. The business confirmed that, while Amherst Classic Cars existed at one time, they have been “out of business for years” and are no longer operating. This business also reported to BBB they have received many calls and visitors looking for Amherst Classic Cars and have advised consumers to cease communications.
A WHOIS check of Amherst Classic Car’s website domain reveals it was created on July 8th, 2023, using a Lithuanian-based registrar. A third-party privacy service conceals ownership of the website. BBB did a reverse image search of some of the car listings found on Amherst Classic Car’s webpage and found that they were pulled from other online listings and videos - primarily from a Sheridan, Colorado-based car dealership. BBB contacted the domain registrar for Amherst Classic Car’s website and informed them of customer concerns. The website is now deactivated, but their Facebook page is still active. BBB encourages consumers concerned with Amherst Classic Cars to file a complaint with BBB. Consumers may also contact legal counsel and the Ohio Attorney General.
BBB Cleveland also offers the following tips when purchasing a vehicle online:
- Deal locally and in person - Purchase local vehicles with sellers willing to meet face-to-face. Be wary of out-of-state car purchases and any seller unwilling to meet in person. Search for locally BBB Accredited dealerships at BBB.org.
- Never wire money or send gift cards - Never wire funds or send gift cards as payment for an online transaction. When possible, pay with a credit card. Credit cards offer consumers an added layer of protection. Consumers can dispute charges with their card issuer if a transaction falls through.
- Don’t purchase vehicles sight unseen - Never purchase a vehicle that has not been seen or inspected in real life. Don’t rely on a car vehicle report instead of a physical inspection. While reviewing a vehicle history may be a good idea, it’s also possible for scammers to use fake vehicle identification numbers.
- Beware of liens - When purchasing a used vehicle, there may be a lien on the title. With a lien on the title, the new owner cannot transfer the title into their name, register the vehicle, insure it, or obtain a loan for it. Buyers should check the car’s current Certificate of Title since a lien will be listed on the document. Always ask for the original, and never trust a photocopy.
Better Business Bureau recommends individuals report scams, regardless of whether or not they have lost money, to BBB.org/ScamTracker. These reports can help others avoid falling victim to fraud.