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MODERATE THREAT · Consumer Fraud

FTC Alert: Scammers Cloning Car Dealership Websites

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a consumer alert regarding a surge in fraudulent activity where scammers clone legitimate car dealership websites to deceive prospective buyers into making upfront payments for non-existent vehicles.

10/4/2026Web browsersOnline classifiedsSocial media advertisements

Warning signs

  • Requests for upfront payments or deposits before seeing the vehicle in person
  • Websites that look identical to a known dealer but have a slightly different URL
  • Prices that seem significantly lower than market value
  • Pressure to complete a transaction quickly to 'hold' a vehicle
  • Negative online reviews or complaints when searching the dealer's name with terms like 'scam' or 'fraud'

What you should do

  • Search the dealership's name online alongside terms like 'scam', 'review', or 'complaint' to identify potential red flags
  • Verify the dealership's official website address through independent sources or manufacturer directories
  • Avoid sending money or providing sensitive financial information to any seller before physically inspecting the vehicle
  • Report suspected fraudulent websites to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Contact the dealership directly using a phone number verified from an official, independent source to confirm the legitimacy of an online listing
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated methods, including artificial intelligence, to create near-perfect replicas of legitimate car dealership websites. These fraudulent sites often mirror the branding, logos, vehicle inventories, and even customer testimonials of real dealerships. The primary objective of these scams is to trick consumers into providing upfront payments or deposits for vehicles that do not exist. Victims often discover the fraud only after arriving at the physical location of the dealership, where they find no record of their transaction or vehicle order. The FTC emphasizes that these scams exploit the stress and complexity of the online car-buying process.

Sources

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/09/scammers-are-spoofing-car-dealership-websites-what-you-need-knowhttps://www.cbtnews.com/ftc-warns-car-buyers-about-fake-dealership-websites-and-payment-scamshttps://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ftc-warns-that-scammers-are-cloning-car-2551840https://www.jdsupra.com/topics/federal-trade-commission-ftc/consumer-fraud/misleading-statements