The on-going pandemic and job losses have people looking for a car to fall into deals that are probably too good to be true. K R P S’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.   

According to a wide-ranging report by the Better Business Bureau released last week, Americans are losing millions of dollars purchasing cars that don’t exist. Supposed sellers are listing fake vehicles on sites like eBay Motors, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist for prices that are far below market value. Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau in Springfield, Missouri, Stephanie Garland, explains. “They are advertising any kind of motorized vehicle. They’re saying that there’s an emergency, there’s been a death in the family, oh my goodness I need to go ahead and get rid of this vehicle. And I’m just trying to take care of it. You know I’m in the military about to be deployed.” Another indicator that it may be a scam is that the seller can’t meet to see the vehicle because of COVID-19. The Better Business Bureau receives just a small slice of fraud complaints from consumers. Still, the organization expects to receive over 450 car scam complaints this year alone, with over 1 million dollars in losses.