The Office of the Tennessee Attorney General is alerting consumers to be cautious of scam websites that are impersonating classic car and heavy equipment dealerships. Despite scammers answering calls, sending videos, and providing fake business licenses, consumers risk losing their money to these fraudulent schemes.
One such fraudulent entity, Leo’s Luxury Motors, pretended to sell and ship classic cars. However, this dealership was non-existent, and the images of vehicles on its website, which has since been taken down, were copied from a legitimate dealership’s website in Michigan.
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Another scam involves Equipment Express, a legitimate but small forklift dealer based in Lebanon, Tennessee, which does not possess a website. Scammers created a fake website using the real business’s name and address, falsely offering to sell and ship machinery like excavators and dump trucks at very low prices. These offers are not genuine, as scammers use generic internet images and deceive consumers into paying them.
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti emphasized the impact of these scams, stating, “I know firsthand what it’s like to see bad actors scam family members out of their hard-earned money. These scammers don’t care one bit about your family’s financial well-being.” He advised Tennesseans to be vigilant, especially during the holiday season, to avoid losing money on non-existent vehicles or equipment.
Consumers are advised to view the vehicle or machinery in person before purchasing. If buying online, consider the following tips to ensure legitimacy:
1. Beware of deals that seem too good to be true, as they are likely scams. Scammers often lure consumers by offering high-value items at very low prices.
2. If personal inspection is not possible, arrange for a neutral third party, such as an independent mechanic, to inspect the vehicle or equipment before making any payments.
3. Check reviews, ratings, or complaints about the business. Utilize resources like the Better Business Bureau’s website at www.bbb.org. For vehicles, use services like CARFAX or AutoCheck for vehicle history reports.
4. Avoid sharing financial information and be cautious of wiring funds or bank-to-bank transactions, as these are non-reversible. Opt for payments via check or credit card.
5. Protect personal information. Be wary of websites requesting sensitive information like your social security number, and avoid purchasing from sellers who only accept payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
Stay informed about the latest scams and consumer information by subscribing to alerts from the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/scams.
Reports of fraudulent business activity can be made to the Attorney General’s Office using the online consumer complaint form at www.tn.gov/consumer and to the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/file-a complaint. Internet fraud complaints can also be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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