The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office warned consumers about scam websites posing as legitimate classic car and heavy equipment dealerships.
These scams often involve sophisticated websites advertising vehicles or heavy machinery at extremely low prices. Fraudsters may go to great lengths to appear legitimate—answering phone calls, sending videos, and even providing fake business licenses. But consumers who send money will ultimately lose it because the vehicles or equipment do not exist.
“Too many of us know firsthand what it’s like to see bad actors scam family members out of their hard-earned money,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “These scammers don’t care one bit about your family’s financial well-being. Consumers should always be cautious when shopping online—especially when purchasing high-value items like vehicles or heavy equipment.”
The Attorney General’s Office recommends that consumers inspect vehicles or equipment in person before making a purchase. If that is not possible, consumers should take additional precautions to verify the seller’s legitimacy. The AG suggests consumers be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true; use third-party inspections; protect financial information, keep private information private and research the business.]
Consumers impacted by this scam should immediately report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center .
