Warning issued after surge in fake classic car websites targeting buyers

CONNED, YOU FEEL REALLY VIOLATED, RIGHT? I MEAN, IT’S THAT SOMEONE COULD, YOU KNOW, SUCK YOU IN. MEGAN BATES IS STILL IN DISBELIEF. SHE SAYS IT. ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SHE WAS IN EAST BOSTON, WENT TO THIS ATM TO TAKE OUT CASH TO GO TO LUNCH, SHE SAYS ABOUT 10S. AFTER WALKING AWAY, A MAN CALLED HER OVER SAYING THERE WAS STILL MONEY IN THE SLOT AND THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE MACHINE. GIVE ME YOUR CARD. AND HE LIKE, TOOK MY CAR OUT OF MY HAND AND PUT IT IN THE MACHINE. HE’S LIKE, PUT YOUR PIN NUMBER IN. HE’S LIKE, YOU HAVE TO CLOSE THE TRANSACTION IN BECAUSE IT’S STILL OPEN AND IT HAPPENED SO FAST. I DIDN’T EVEN REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, SHE SAYS. THE MAN WAS SUPER NICE AND SHE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO HELP HER. SHE WENT TO LUNCH AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN LOOKING AT HER BANK STATEMENT, SHE SAW THREE WITHDRAWALS OF $4,000 EACH, MISSING FROM HER ACCOUNT. THE MONEY TAKEN OUT FROM THIS BANK OF AMERICA ON STATE STREET, AND THEN ANOTHER ON HANOVER STREET. SHE LATER REALIZED THE CARD SHE NOW HAD IN HER POCKET WASN’T HER OWN. BUT FOR SOMEONE NAMED VICTOR, SOMEHOW BETWEEN WHEN THE CARD CAME OUT AGAIN, HE SWITCHED THE CARDS. I DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW HE DID IT. SLEIGHT OF HAND. I MEAN, THE GUY WAS A MAGICIAN. BATES REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED TO BOSTON POLICE AND TO BANK OF AMERICA. SHE’S WONDERING HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN SHE SAYS SHE HAS SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE PREVENTING WITHDRAWALS OVER $500. IT’S FRUSTRATING TO ME THAT THEY CAN’T TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED, LIKE WHY SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO WITHDRAW THAT MUCH MONEY OUT OF MY ACCOUNT IN ONE DAY. NOW, BATES SAYS SHE’S SUPER EMBARRASSED ABOUT THIS SITUATION, BUT SHE SPOKE WITH US TODAY IN HOPES OF RAISING AWARENESS. SO THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. BY THE WAY, BANK OF AMERICA AND BOSTON POLICE ARE BOTH INVESTIGATING.

A warning was issued to consumers to be aware of fake websites claiming to sell classic cars and heavy equipment.The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said the fraudulent websites are tricking buyers into losing a large amount of money, and some people are falling victim to car dealer scams originating in other states.Related video above: Boston woman loses $12K in 'slight of hand' scam at ATMThe BBB says these scammers often steal photos, contact information and even vehicle identification numbers from authentic sellers to deceive potential buyers.There have been recent cases in Florida, Utah and Missouri where consumers lost $25,000 and more to scammers.For more information: Virtual Vehicle Vendor Scams Full StudyThe BBB has some tips to protect yourself:View the vehicle in person: whenever possible, inspect the vehicle yourself or send someone you trust.Be wary of too-good-to-be-true prices: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.Do not electronically transfer a deposit or any money; pay with a cashier's check in person if possible.Opt to pick up the vehicle: choose to pick up the vehicle in person rather than opting for delivery, and pay at the time of delivery with a cashier's check.Resist high-pressure sales tactics: be cautious of sellers urging quick action.Use approved VIN lookup websites: verify the vehicle’s history using only approved vehicle identification number lookup websites.

A warning was issued to consumers to be aware of fake websites claiming to sell classic cars and heavy equipment.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said the fraudulent websites are tricking buyers into losing a large amount of money, and some people are falling victim to car dealer scams originating in other states.

Related video above: Boston woman loses $12K in 'slight of hand' scam at ATM

The BBB says these scammers often steal photos, contact information and even vehicle identification numbers from authentic sellers to deceive potential buyers.

There have been recent cases in Florida, Utah and Missouri where consumers lost $25,000 and more to scammers.

For more information: Virtual Vehicle Vendor Scams Full Study

The BBB has some tips to protect yourself:

View the vehicle in person: whenever possible, inspect the vehicle yourself or send someone you trust.
Be wary of too-good-to-be-true prices: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Do not electronically transfer a deposit or any money; pay with a cashier's check in person if possible.
Opt to pick up the vehicle: choose to pick up the vehicle in person rather than opting for delivery, and pay at the time of delivery with a cashier's check.
Resist high-pressure sales tactics: be cautious of sellers urging quick action.
Use approved VIN lookup websites: verify the vehicle’s history using only approved vehicle identification number lookup websites.

Warning issued after surge in fake classic car websites targeting buyers

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