A deposit can feel like a harmless way to hold a car while you arrange travel, financing, or an inspection. That small payment can become a much bigger problem if the vehicle, seller, or deal does not match what appeared online.
The risk has become especially relevant as more shoppers buy cars without visiting the lot first. The Federal Trade Commission recently warned about scammers creating fake dealership websites that copy real dealers, vehicle listings, photos, and branding. Some victims only discover the problem after sending money and arriving at a dealership that knows nothing about their purchase.
