Cars For Sale Stock Lot Row. Car Dealer Inventory (GettyImages)
Local companies are being used in imposter online sales scam.
Several local companies have contacted BBB Amarillo regarding a sales scam using their business name. The scammer is using a real business name to pretend to sell cars and vintage cars online. Scammers are stealing company names, addresses and websites in order to appear convincing. They fool consumers into sending money for the purchase. When the vehicle is not delivered or the consumer loses contact, they call the real company for answers.
Here’s how the scam works:
Consumers search for “used cars” or “vintage cars” or a similar search. The results show the name of a real company located in Amarillo or the Amarillo area. The consumer is able to see the vehicle online and even communicate with someone they think is from the real company. They send money and wait but never get the vehicle.
If your company has experienced calls claiming a consumer purchased a vehicle from you, call BBB to investigate. Refer any callers who have been scammed to BBB.
If you receive these calls, exercise caution, your company name or website may have been spoofed by these scammers. Scammers go so far as to open bank accounts in the name of real companies. Consumers then send money to these fake accounts making it look like they paid the real company for a vehicle that never existed. Warn employees, managers and your customers to be aware of these scams and warn customers, family members and friends never to send money to an unknown source. Money lost to scams affect local spending on legitimate purchases.
One local business used in this scam does not have a website. A fake website was created by scammers to target consumers. The scammer provided pictures, a bill of sale and a vehicle identification (VIN) number. Two consumer victims sent $10,000 each to the scammers for vehicles from this fake site.
Another local car company was also a target, their website had been impersonated through a cousin domain. A cousin domain is used in scams to impersonate a real company. This consumer lost $10,000.
Today, a local BBB Accredited Business posted that they had received several calls from consumers asking about cars supposedly listed on their website. The cars were not listed and the company is not involved in the fake website.
BBB warns consumers to exercise caution; being involved in scams cost thousands of dollars that cannot be recovered. Be leery of clicking on pop up ads on social media for a company you have never heard of, is untraceable or is out of your area.
Find the company online through an authentic search. Contact BBB or check BBB reports to get the company contact information. BBB staff are trained to spot a fake and can help you determine if you are dealing with a scam and offer advice. Don’t hesitate to contact BBB, services are free.
Report the scam to BBB’s Scam Tracker site. www.bbb.org/scamtracker or call 806-379-6222, email [email protected].
The fake websites look realistic with pictures of inventory, descriptions and pricing. Online location maps can also be deceiving.
This is an ongoing investigation. Trailer and equipment sales companies are also being targeted. BBB will report as they uncover more information.