Consumers in Connecticut are being cautioned to be aware of a new uptick in online car purchasing scams after multiple complaints were levied by would-be buyers who wired money to fraudsters.
The Better Business Bureau issued an alert advising of new scams that have arisen as the demand for used cars in Connecticut has spiked, leading to acts of fraud across the state.
According to officials, scammers have been listing used cars for sale through sponsored ads and through social media.
Victims have then been told to wire money for the vehicle to a shipping or escrow company, while the scammers allege that they will keep the payment safe for at least five days to ensure the buyer are satisfied with the purchase.
Instead, the fraudsters made off with the wired money, officials said.
A second similar scam involves victims being targeted after sellers allege that a family member died recently and is “trying to get rid of his old (vehicle) because it has brought back bad memories.”
The seller then allegedly says that someone else was going to buy the car but didn’t get the loan, so it’s ready to be shipped.
In both scams, the seller attempts to make the fraud appear legitimate by assuring that the transaction will be confirmed through a third party’s buyer protection program.
Instead, the company website sends all cash to an office in Hartford.
According to the FBI, scammers may fake a sense of urgency for selling the car, such as moving or being deployed by the military and receiving the vehicle as part of a divorce settlement.
Officials said that after the transactions, the scammers tend to ignore all follow-up calls, text messages, and emails, or may demand additional payments.
In the end, the consumer never receives a car and is never able to recoup their losses. Aside from the monetary losses, consumers may put personal banking information at risk through these scams, they noted.
To avoid online car sale scams, the BBB has offered these tips:
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