Fraudulent Dealership Websites
Recent reports from Kansas and Iowa have revealed instances of fraud where customers seeking to purchase vehicles online fall victim to fake dealership websites. These fraudulent sites either mimic legitimate dealerships or operate exclusively online, luring buyers with deals that appear too good to be true. In one case, a buyer discovered a “great deal” on a vehicle, wired money to the so-called “dealership” and travelled to another state to pick up the vehicle—only to discover they had been scammed. The fraudster even sent a photoshopped title to the buyer to convince them that the transaction was legitimate.
How to avoid fraud
While this type of scam typically does not lead to issues with vehicle registration, customers should take proactive steps to avoid falling victim, including:
- Research the dealership or seller through the Secretary of State’s website or the Auto Industry Division (AID) to determine validity.
- Verify vehicle information using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on trusted sites like NICB or NHTSA,
both of which offer free VIN checks.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. A significantly low price is often a red flag for scams.
By conducting thorough research and exercising caution, buyers can protect themselves from these fraudulent schemes.
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