Scammers spoof legitimate website in online car sale scheme

BALTIMORE - Online car sales are a big target for scammers and this time, they're dragging a legitimate company into their scheme.

Kelley Blue Book is known as a trusted source of information when it comes to pricing what your car is worth. And that's why Angie Barnett with the Better Business Bureau says scammers are using the company's well known name to run a car selling scheme.

In this scam, cars are posted for sale at low prices on listing sites on the web, with stories about why the seller has to ditch the ride quickly and can't meet in person. Once they've got you interested, the scammers will have you click on another link that takes you to a site that spoofs the real Kelley Blue Book. Barnett explains, "They will move you over to that website and the website looks absolutely authentic. The advertisement, the logos, it looks absolutely identical to the legitimate site."

But there's nothing legit about what they want you to do. According to Kelley Blue Book and the FBI, the schemers ask you to wire money to a third party for the car, claiming that if you're not happy, they’ll guarantee you can return it. But Barnett says that’s never going to happen.

Instead, in this situation, the scammers disappear and so does your money. That’s why Barnett and the BBB believe that if you're buying cars online, you should always try to meet with the seller in person before you hand over any cash.

If you run into this kind of scam while buying a car online, you're urged to contact the government’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.