Kilmartin warns of online car-sale scam

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin last week issued an advisory warning consumers to be wary of fraudulent online vehicle sales and false claims of vehicle-protection programs.
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center – or the IC3 – numerous complaints nationwide of fraudulent vehicle sales have been reported in which scammers attempt to sell vehicles they do not own or do not exist, Kilmartin said. The scam artist lures potential buyers by advertising vehicles drastically below book value.
Typically the scam artist will ask for a full or partial payment to be sent to a third-party agent via wire transfer. The scam artist keeps the money, but does not deliver the vehicle.
Attorney General Kilmartin advises consumers to use due diligence before engaging in transactions to purchase vehicles advertised online.
If you have fallen victim to this type of scam, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at www.IC3.gov. &#8226