Two Connecticut business owners say their companies’ identities were stolen by a scammer who has taken tens of thousands of dollars from classic car enthusiasts.
Michael Purvis, of Wilmington, North Carolina reported Classic Leyland Restorations Powered by Premier Motorsports, LLC after he says he was targeted by a fake Facebook ad and website costing him $30,000.
“I found a car online and spoke with the guy several times through email, text, and phone calls. Since I am a handicapped 80-year-old veteran, ‘Josh’ set up delivery for the car I purchased. Once I wired ‘Josh’ the money the website and his phone number were deleted,” Purvis reported to BBB’s Scam Tracker.
Liz Sapata, owner of Classic Leyland Restorations, in Prospect, says she received a letter from the Attorney General of Idaho after a victim in that state reported losing $25,000 for a 1949 truck that didn’t actually exist.
“We were completely shocked. We had no idea what was going on. We only restore classic British cars. We do not sell vehicles. So, it was interesting to see someone was trying to scam a small mom and pop shop,” Sapata told BBB, Connecticut.
She added that her business does not have a website nor any social media accounts. The Facebook page created by the scammer is still up but the phone number on it does not match that of the either Classic Leyland Restorations or Premier Motorsports, LLC.
“It is definitely impacting our day to day on a regular basis because we’re having to answer phone calls that have nothing to do with us. We have to monitor our social media presence,” Sapata said.
Richard Eynon, of Twin Falls, Idaho, thought he did all the right things. He looked up the business on the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s website and asked the seller to share video of the truck. Now, he wishes he would have taken his research a step further.
“I was upset. I felt stupid. If you can’t physically see it, hire somebody that can. There are services out there that will go and inspect the vehicle for you,” Eynon told BBB, Connecticut. “It had a big emotional impact. There’s a lot of things I won’t buy online anymore.”
Eynon said after he reported the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) the Department of Homeland Security got involved and the website was shut down. However, he says the scam is not.
“It’s sad because I keep saying the same vehicles in the same setting under different names, different phone numbers,” Eynon explained.
Brandon Zuccaro, owner of Premier Motorsports LLC, in Canton, urges people looking at cars online not to wire money until they see the car in person.
“Research the business, look up who the business owner is, make sure the bank account matches the business if they’re asking you to wire money,” he added.
BBB’s Red Flags of Virtual Vehicle Scams
· The price is significantly below market for the car.
· You cannot meet the seller or inspect the car in person
· Money must be sent to a supposed third party recommended by the seller.
· Payment is by gift card or bank to bank wire transfer.