WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – In the ever-evolving landscape of online commerce, consumers are increasingly falling victim to virtual vehicle vendor scams, particularly those in the market for classic cars.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning following a noticeable uptick in these fraudulent activities over the past year.
According to a recent report released by the BBB, scammers are exploiting vehicle history reports to steal money and sensitive information from unsuspecting buyers. Cosme Ojeda, director of operations at the BBB, highlighted the alarming trend, noting the growing reliance of scammers on fake websites carefully designed to mimic legitimate online marketplaces.
“You see an ad on social media and it’s a car you’ve been looking for, it’s a nice car that catches your attention, it’s at a great price and it’s going to sell fast,” stated Ojeda.
Classic car enthusiasts, in particular, have become prime targets for these scams, seduced by the promise of rare vehicles at bargain prices and the convenience of nationwide delivery. The report emphasizes the urgency tactics employed by scammers, coercing buyers into hasty decisions to prevent scrutiny.
“Scammers are actually creating fake websites that have car history information on them so they say ‘use this, you can see the history of this vehicle at this website and you’ll be able to see that it’s clean’,” Ojeda said.
Between 2021 and 2023, nearly 700 reports were lodged with the BBB’s Scam Tracker concerning fraudulent vehicle sales, escrow scams, and counterfeit vehicle reports. The median financial loss incurred from these scams amounted to a staggering $12,600.
To safeguard against falling victim to such scams, the BBB advises consumers to exercise caution, urging them to inspect vehicles in person and avoid peer-to-peer payment methods. Utilizing payment methods that offer protection, such as credit cards, can mitigate the risk of financial loss.
For more information visit the BBB website.
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