The Better Business Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky is warning car shoppers to beware of websites offering too-good-to-be-true deals on repossessed cars.
The scam, going on nationwide, uses the names of well-known existing auto dealerships to try and fool consumers into wiring them money to pay deposits. Customers ultimately eceive no vehicle and have no way to get their money back.
"The latest scam crossing our radar in our service area uses the name Superstore Used Cars, or the website www.superautosalesus.com, and gives an address in Hazard, Kentucky," said Neil Kingery, President & CEO of the BBB of Central & Eastern Kentucky. "We have received many calls and e-mails from hopeful consumers outside of Kentucky checking out this non-existent dealer in Hazard because of the low, low prices offered for these repossessed vehicles. They tell us they were being asked to wire money via Money Gram to pay deposits."
Consumers tell the BBB they saw the advertisement for Superstore Used Cars and its Website either by searching the Internet or in small advertising publications in their areas, far away from the location the scammer fraudulently gives as its Kentucky address. The same website was also recently associated with a dealer name and address out of Louisville, but since changed to the 800 Morton Blvd., Hazard. Some customers say phone numbers they were given for the company do not work.
At last check, the website www.superautosalesus.com was gone from the Internet. However, other BBB's across the nation also report the same scam has popped up across the Internet with different domain names, so consumers should be aware of the red flags of this scam:
RED FLAGS
·The prices are too good to be true. Repossessed or no, it's not likely you will find a late model vehicle at a price well below market value on a legitimate company's website.
·The dealer only accepts payment by money wire transfer. Never wire money to anyone that you do not know well and trust completely.
·You are told to wire the money to an individual rather than the company. The scam artist explains this is in order to "avoid taxes." No legitimate auto dealer will advise you to do business in this manner.
·The dealer communicates only through on line chat or e-mail, never by phone.
"Many legitimate automobile dealers also offer their inventory on their company's Websites," Kingery said. "If you prefer to shop around online for cars, we suggest shopping with BBB Accredited Businesses who have met strict ethical standards, which includes a commitment to resolving customer disputes.
Log on to www.bluegrass.bbb.org and click on the 'Find a BBB Accredited Business' tab to search for a list of BBB Accredited automobile dealers in our 64-county service area."
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