Summary:
Buying a car online has become more common—and even Amazon is getting involved. About half of recent buyers say they shopped online. While it’s more convenient than dealing with a traditional dealership, it also opens the door to sophisticated scams.
How the Scam Works
Scammers set up fake dealership websites, often stealing logos, photos, and listings from real dealers to make their sites look authentic. They might invent a fictional dealership or impersonate a real one. To lure buyers, they list cars at prices that seem too good to be true.
Once a buyer shows interest, the scammers respond quickly with documents, photos, and answers—everything you’d expect from a legitimate dealer. But when it comes time to pay, they ask for a wire transfer or another unusual payment method. After receiving the money, they disappear.
Real Victims, Real Losses
- A man in North Carolina lost $40,000 on a fake site selling “repossessed” trucks.
- Someone in California paid $24,000 for a classic car that never arrived.
- One Reddit user lost $55,000 to an especially convincing scam site.
How to Protect Yourself
- Check if the dealership is listed with your state’s DMV or DOT.
- Call the dealership using a phone number found independently—not from the website.
- Be cautious of prices that seem too low and requests for wire transfers.
Online car buying can save you time—but only if you stay alert. A few smart checks can help you avoid losing thousands to a scam.
Life Hacker
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