Don't buy a car from Auto Recovery Brokers in Grand Forks, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota advises.
The auto dealer says it is in Grand Forks, but there is no licensed auto dealer in the state by this name, the BBB said in a release. Consumers submitted more than 200 complaints about Auto Recovery Brokers, Duluth Motors Transport and Tralaway International, the release said.
The BBB advises consumers to avoid wiring money when buying a vehicle if they can't see it in person. The BBB also advises customers to be certain a dealer is licensed to sell cars or other motor vehicles.
In Minnesota, auto dealers must be licensed through the Department of Motor Vehicles. In North Dakota, they must be licensed through the Department of Transportation.
These fake websites scam consumers out of money by listing a vehicle for a low price on a website like Craigslist. The fake website then emails an invoice to the customer and asks for bank routing information or wired money. Once money is transferred, the scammers cut off all contact, the release said.
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Duluth Motors Transport claims to be in Duluth, Minn., but its address is an empty warehouse. None of the three entities has a U.S. Department of Transportation motor carrier number, which is required by law, the BBB said.
The BBB is aware of at least one consumer who was scammed out of more than $17,000 by Duluth Motors Transport, the release said.
