An online vehicle listing can look legitimate while directing a buyer’s money to someone impersonating the dealership.
In a September 1 consumer alert, the Federal Trade Commission described scammers copying dealership websites, including branding, vehicle photographs, and listings. Some add fabricated testimonials and reassuring purchase terms. Buyers may discover the deception only when the real dealership has no record of their transaction.
Good reviews may belong to the real business
Searching a dealer’s name alongside terms such as “complaint” or “scam” can reveal warnings. However, favorable reviews may describe the legitimate dealership whose identity was copied.
That creates two separate questions for buyers: Does the business have a good reputation, and is the person offering the vehicle actually connected to it?
Verify the vehicle before paying
The FTC recommends visiting the dealership and seeing the vehicle. For a distant purchase, buyers can request access for an independent mobile inspection. A seller’s refusal to allow either warrants reconsidering the transaction.
The agency also advises walking away when a seller requires an upfront payment exclusively by wire transfer. Suspected scams can be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
A professional-looking website is a starting point for researching a purchase. Confirming the seller’s identity and access to the actual vehicle remains a separate step.
Source
Federal Trade Commission: Scammers Are Spoofing Car Dealership Websites—What You Need to Know