Fake Car Dealership Websites Are Taking Buyers’ Money — Here’s How to Spot One Before You Pay

A convincing dealership website can hide a vehicle scam, so shoppers should independently verify the dealer, inspect the vehicle, research the seller, and avoid suspicious upfront payment demands – Shutterstock

A car can look like the deal of the century on a computer screen, right up until the buyer sends money and discovers the dealership never existed. Scammers now create convincing dealership websites that copy real businesses, complete with vehicle photos, logos, listings, testimonials, and polished sales pages. The Federal Trade Commission recently warned that fraudsters have started cloning legitimate dealership websites, sometimes using artificial intelligence to make the fakes look even more convincing.

That creates a nasty problem for car shoppers because a professional-looking website no longer proves much by itself. A fake dealer can answer questions, send paperwork, arrange supposed shipping, and create a sense of urgency before asking for money. A few old-fashioned checks can expose plenty of these scams before a buyer hands over a dime.