April 22, 2016
SCAM ALERT - Fraudulent classified ads in newspaper for used vehicles
April 22, 2016
The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office has been made aware of a scam involving fraudulent classified advertisements currently appearing in local newspapers that offer used vehicles for sale from outside of PA.
The seller offers to sell the vehicle at a price much lower than its actual value and offers to pay all transportation costs. After making the initial contact with the sellers, continued correspondences are made via text and email. Thscammer then claims to be on active duty in the United States military stationed outside of the Commonwealth, and indicates a need to sell a vehicle that had formerly belonged to a deceased relative.
Although this office is aware that persons residing in Franklin County have made inquiries with the persons runningtheses advertisements, is not believed that anyone has actually entered into an agreement or lost any money to date.
Scammers will often pose as genuine sellers and post fake ads in print classifieds and classified websites, and may approach you through email or social media. The ad could be for anything, such as used cars, boats, bikes, equipment, rental properties, and even pets. It may sometimes include pictures and other details that are actually copied from a genuine ad. The scammer will often offer the advertised item at a low price to gain attention and to generate interest. After a potential buyer indicates interest in the ad, the scammer may then claim that they are traveling, moving overseas, or provide another reason why they are in need to sell the item in a certain manner, so cheaply or in a hurry.
This office would like to remind citizens that if the advertised price of an item, service, or rental property looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you have any doubts, do not go ahead with the deal. Do not trust the legitimacy ofan ad just because it appears in a reputable newspaper or on a classified website, as scammers will post fake ads in these as well.
If you believe that you are the victim of a scam, contact your local police department or the PA State Police.
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