Published: August 30, 2018

THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE & INSURANCE AND THE TENNESSEE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION ARE WARNING CONSUMERS TO AVOID PURCHASING VEHICLES ADVERTISED THROUGH A PHONY WEBSITE CREATED AND OPERATED BY SCAMMERS POSING AS THE PROPRIETORS OF A LEGITIMATE LAWRENCEBURG AUTO DEALER.  ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, SCAMMERS HAVE CREATED A BOGUS WEBSITE WITH A FAKE NUMBER FOR FIELD'S AUTO SALES LOCATED ON NORTH LOCUST IN LAWRENCEBURG.  THE OWNERS OF THE BUSINESS, WHICH IS FULLY LICENSED AND HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 1991, WERE MADE AWARE OF THE SCAM WHEN THEY WERE CONTACTED BY THREE VICTIMS, ALL OF WHOM LIVE OUTSIDE TENNESSEE AND BELIEVE THEY WERE BUYING VEHICLES VIA THE INTERNET.  THE VICTIMS HAVE ALL CONTACTED LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE SCAM.  THE FBI RECOMMENDS CONSUMERS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ITEMS ONLINE ENSURE THEY ARE PURCHASING FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE BY VERIFYING THE LEGITIMACY OF THE SELLER AND THEIR ACTUAL POSSESSION OF THE MERCHANDISE.  AUTO DEALERS SHOULD REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ANY BILLS OR NOTICES FROM ONLINE ADVERTISING COMPANIES FOR SERVICES THEY DID NOT BUY AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CHECK TO SEE IF VEHICLES ARE BEING ADVERTISED IN THEIR COMPANY’S NAME ONLINE.  INDIVIDUALS WHO BELIEVE THEY MAY BE A VICTIM OF, OR HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF, AN ONLINE SCAM CAN FILE A COMPLAINT AT I-C 3 DOT GOV.