The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has issued a warning to consumers about fraudulent websites masquerading as classic car and heavy equipment dealerships. These scams involve scammers who respond to calls, send videos, and provide fake business licenses, ultimately deceiving consumers out of their money.
One such fraudulent entity, Leo’s Luxury Motors, claimed to sell and ship classic cars. The dealership was fake, with its website displaying photos copied from a legitimate dealership in Michigan until it was recently shut down.
Another case involves Equipment Express, a genuine but small forklift dealer in Lebanon, Tennessee. Although they do not have an official website, scammers created one using the business's name and address. They falsely advertised the sale and shipment of excavators and dump trucks at low prices while using images sourced from the internet.
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti expressed concern over these scams: “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 urged caution when shopping online, especially during the Christmas season: “We don't want Tennesseans to spend money they need on a vehicle or heavy equipment they'll never see.”
Consumers are advised to inspect vehicles or machinery in person before purchasing. If buying online is necessary, some tips include being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, utilizing third-party inspections by independent mechanics, checking reviews and ratings through resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), avoiding sharing financial information unnecessarily, and keeping personal information secure.
For those seeking more information on scams or wanting to report fraudulent activities, resources are available through the FTC at www.ftc.gov/scams and complaints can be filed with the Attorney General’s Office via www.tn.gov/consumer or with the BBB at www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint. Internet fraud can also be reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).