CLASSIC car enthusiasts have been warned that sometimes, a dream set of wheels really can be too good to be true.
Police in the city of Maize, Kansas, have alerted gearheads of an alleged scam website that’s using the name of a business that has closed down.
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According to a report by KSN, a website under the name of MaizeMotors is currently up and running that claims to sell restored classic cars.
To add to its authenticity, it even lists a local telephone number and a Maize address.
But the address once belonged to the real Maize Motors, which was a used car lot that has long since gone out of business.
The photos that can be found on the website are of classic cars seemingly taken from other legitimate websites.
Police are now warning anyone in the market for a retro or vintage vehicle to be cautious and not to fall for the scam.
In a social media post, the Maize Police Department added: “We have determined, both through researching the website and in talking with the owner of Maize Motors, that this is NOT a legitimate website and is a front to defraud car enthusiasts out of money.
“Do not do business with or through this website. Maize Motors is presently not in business.”
A quick Google search confirms the business is ‘permanently closed’.
This is something that previously happened in 2023, when a fraudster created a website impersonating another Kansas dealership called Emporia.
In this case, the company whose photos were stolen to use on the bogus Emporia website said it had started to happen to their business some seven years ago.
Jeremy Brunen with Garage Kept Motors said that the scammers like to target small dealerships nationwide and operate until they are shut down.
However, for the FBI to get involved and shut them down, he said someone must have been scammed out of a minimum of $250,000.
Authorities warn car enthusiasts to be vigilant when making any significant purchase online.
Classic car insurance specialists at Hagerty urge potential buyers to request a current photo of the car and do a reverse image search of it.
They also say it’s worth getting someone other than the seller to check the vehicle.
Last December, Matthew Hobson, a retired firefighter from Oklahoma, was scammed out of $45,000 for what he thought was his dream car – a classic 1968 Chevy Camaro.
Hobson said he found the classic for sale online and immediately contacted the sellers.
He said: “They sent me videos, they walked around the car; it was so professionally done.”
He said he believed he’d done his due diligence; investigating the car, the company and the process for weeks prior – claiming everyone seemed professional and legit.
Feeling reassured, he wired $45,000 from his pension fund to make the purchase.
But after waiting for updates on the delivery of the vehicle and hearing nothing but excuses, the suspected scammers then simply disappeared.
How to avoid being scammed at the repair shop
Motorautocar and the AARP have east-to-follow tips to avoid being scammed by a repair shop.
- Motorautocar suggests asking to see parts that have been replaced or to see old fluids after they were swapped. If the shop says that’s impossible or refuses, it could be a sign it wasn’t done.
- Ask for a walkaround of the repairs that were done. Most mechanics are happy to show you what was done in the shop. While being walked around, look for evidence of repairs like the area being cleaned off, shiny new parts, tool marks on the bolts, tools being out or nearby, etc.
- Before taking your car in, look at other customer reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Many customers only review a company if they have negative reviews, so keep an eye out.
- For costly repairs, consider getting multiple opinions. If two to three shops suggest identical repairs, it’s likely to be true.
- Test a new shop with minor issues you’re aware of to see if they add anything to the repair bill.
- If applicable, bring someone to the shop who knows about cars to have them double-check or read a repair bill.
- Get everything on paper. Not only is it important for your repair records, but it can help protect you if legal measures are necessary.
Source: Motorautocar, AARP
