SCAMMERS posed as car dealers have nabbed tens of thousands of dollars from drivers seeking new vehicles.
Two people told how they lost copious amounts of cash buying from a local Maine dealership that never turned up.
Experts say its best to wait to pay the dealer or the seller after you’ve seen the car in persongettyWith tariffs poised to impact the price of new cars, many people are looking for deals on used cars.
However, drivers should be aware of buying online as scammers have upped their game.
Shaun Tayman, from Las Vegas told 8 Investigates he’d been searching for a used Land Cruiser online.
Finally, he found one through TrueCar, a host site for car listings all over the country.
The car was in great condition – the best deal he’d seen.
First time Shaun traded a car online, “it was seamless”, he said.
However, aware this deal could be too good to be true, Shaun did his research.
He checked the vehicle on CARFAX and Experian, and attained additional photos and information from a man he thought was the owner of Bay City Motors in Auburn, Frank Gatto.
Shaun continued: “Everything just seemed so legit, even though there were a couple red flags looking back.”
When he went to wire $71,000 for the car, his bank flagged it for possible fraud.
The bank ended up clearing the transfer after talking to the seller over the phone.
When the day came for the car to be delivered, Shaun got ghosted.
He said: “I feel like I’ve been more diligent in trying to — trying to — stay on top of this than the authorities and the people that should be doing it.
“Very disappointing to me.”
Following Shaun’s experience, another man, who wished to remain anonymous came forward.
He thought he was buying a used Dodge Charger from Bay City Motors for just under $46,00, but the car never came.
When 8 Investigates first visited Bay City Motors at the end of February, the store was closed for the day.
There were plenty of cars on the lot and a sign on the door from Frank, saying someone was impersonating him online.
Anyone who has been scammed, is advised to tell their bank, call the police, and report to the State Attorney General’s OfficegettyDuring a phone call, Frank told 8 Investigates that he wasn’t closing because of the identity fraud, but that it did play a role in his decision.
The fake website was still up at this time.
Auburn Police confirmed that three people, including Frank, have filed police reports with them.
Erin Witte, the director of consumer protection at Consumer Federation of America said: “We tend to think, as, you know, educated people, as people who have been, you know, buying things online that we’re not likely to get scammed, but the truth is, is that we are all very susceptible to it.
Witte says that anytime you’re asked to wire money, that should be a red flag because once the money’s gone, it is extremely difficult to get back.
He continued: “Ideally, you would wait to pay the dealer or the seller until you see that car in person, until you know that it really exists.”
Anyone who has been scammed, is advised to tell their bank, call the police in the town or city where the business claims to be, and report it to the State Attorney General’s Office.
Your money back cannot be guaranteed.
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