Chattanooga, TN – According to the state officials, despite scammers using tactics such as answering phones, sending videos, and even creating fake business licenses, consumers can still fall victim and lose their money if they aren’t careful.
One scam involves a fraudulent business called Leo’s Luxury Motors, which claimed to sell and ship classic cars. The website, which was recently taken down, featured stolen photos from a legitimate dealership in Michigan.
Another scam targets buyers of heavy equipment. Equipment Express, a real forklift dealer in Lebanon, Tennessee, has had scammers create a fake website using its name and address. The website promises to sell excavators and dump trucks at low prices, but the equipment doesn’t exist. Scammers use generic internet photos to lure in victims and take their money.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti emphasized the personal toll scams can take, saying, “I know firsthand what it’s like to see bad actors scam family members out of their hard-earned money. These scammers don’t care one bit about your family’s financial well-being.” He urged Tennesseans to be extra cautious when shopping online, particularly as the holiday season approaches.