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New FTC Issues Fraud Alert: What Dealers Need to Know About Spoofed Websites

September 2, 2026

On September 1st, the FTC issued a consumer fraud alert warning that scammers are spoofing legitimate dealer websites and coaxing buyers into paying upfront for vehicles that never existed. The scammed consumers show up at the spoofed dealership only to learn it had never interacted with them. Here is what you can do to get ahead of this potential issue for your dealership. You can read the FTC alert here.

How to Detect If Your Website Has Been Cloned

  • Search for yourself like a customer would. Use Google/Bing to search your dealership name + “scam,” “review,” “complaint,” or “website.” Spoof sites often appear as new domains with slight misspellings.
  • Monitor for look‑alike domains. Set up alerts for domains similar to yours (e.g., SmithAutoSales.com vs. SmithAutosSale.com).
  • Check for unauthorized inventory listings. Scammers often post rare classics or unusually low‑priced vehicles you don’t sell.
  • Review referral traffic in your analytics. Sudden spikes from unknown domains can indicate a clone linking back to you.
  • Ask your website provider to run periodic scans. Many can check for duplicate content or mirrored sites.

How to Help Customers Identify Your Real Website

  • Publish a “How to Verify Our Website” notice. Add a short banner or footer link explaining your official domain and warning about spoofing.
  • List your ONLY official URLs. Include your main site, service scheduler, and payment portals.
  • Tell customers you never require wire transfers or crypto. Spoof sites often push irreversible payment methods.
  • Encourage customers to call before sending money. A simple phone verification stops most scams.
  • Promote your Google Business Profile. It’s harder for scammers to fake, and customers trust it as a source of truth

Speaker Profile Picture of Matthew Vatter

Matt Vatter

Chief Compliance Officer, Accelerate2Compliance

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