Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022 BBB Scam Alert: With used cars in high demand, look out for too-good-to-be-true prices A ccording to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), used cars are in high demand, and scammers know it. Con artists are taking advantage of shoppers who turn to online platforms in search of a reasonably priced used vehicle. Be wary of this latest twist and too-goodto-be-true prices. How the scam works: You For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspaperscall The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net are shopping for a used vehicle on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay or another online platform. You fi nd the make and model you want at an excellent price. Amazing! However, when you contact the seller, you fi nd out that the vehicle is in another city. Fortunately, the seller knows a transport company that can deliver it to you. All you need to do is pay the transport company, which will hold the funds in escrow until the vehicle is delivered. Many scammers will add a sad story meant to tug on your heartstrings. For example, they might claim the car belonged to a relative who has passed away. An example: Reportedly, a scammer claimed to be selling a car on behalf of their aunt, who inherited it from her recently deceased father. “The ‘Auntie’ claimed she was a nurse and worked shifts, and that my daughter’s original email had fallen into her junk folder. The ‘Auntie’ had moved to another province thousands of miles from us. But if my daughter wanted to purchase the car for the stated price (which was well under the going price for a vehicle of this type, year and mileage), the Auntie had a contract with an automotive transport company.” Once you’ve paid the thirdparty company, usually by a wire transfer or prepaid debit card, your vehicle won’t be delivered. The sale was a scam, and the con artist was in cahoots with the third-party transport company. Unfortunately, your money is gone for good. How to avoid car sales scams Watch out for prices that are too good to be true. It’s probably a scam. Scammers know that used cars are in high demand, and they will tempt shoppers with great deals. Contact the seller by phone. As early as possible, speak to the seller on the phone and ask plenty of questions. If you get very vague answers, if the seller gets defensive or aggressive, or if they can’t confi rm their location or the location of the vehicle, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. See the car before you buy it. Always make an in-person inspection and take a test drive before you purchase a vehicle. Don’t give in to threats or pressure. Resist the urge to act immediately. Always take time to consider a purchase, especially if it’s a vehicle that costs thousands of dollars. Don’t wire funds for a car. Scammers often ask for wired funds because they are hard to track, and there’s no way to get your money back. It’s best to make large purchases by check or credit card. For more information: See a BBB Investigation on vehicle shipper and escrow scams (https://www.bbb.org/article/ news-releases/22961-bbb-investigation-vehicle-escrow-scams). You may also want to read the BBB Tips on buying a used car (https://www.bbb.org/article/ tips/14088-bbb-tip-buying-aused-car) and buying a car online (https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/22550-bbb-tipbuying-a-car-online). To report a car sales scam: If you see a car sales scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker (https:// www.bbb.org/ScamTracker) and to the online marketplace where you found it. Open a 3-year CD with one of the region’s highest rates. Revere Department of Public Works to Host Revere Public Works Day September 10 at Rumney Marsh Academy REVERE, MA -- The Revere Department of Public Works announced Revere Public Works Day 2022 is being held on Saturday, September 10th , 2022 at the 419 BROADWAY. EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 WWW.EVERETTBANK.COM Member FDIC | Member DIF Rumney Marsh Academy between 10am – 2pm. This event will showcase services the DPW and Water/Sewer Departments provide throughout the city and give residents and kids a chance to learn more about this essential department. There will be several educational games and activities for children of all ages. Tons of freebies, a bounce house, face painting, DJ and more will be available to add to the excitement. The Revere 311 office will be there to answer questions and open tickets for issues residents may have in Revere, like potholes, raised sidewalks, and more. The MWRA will also be in attendance to provide educational materials and provide clean and fresh water to attendees with the help of their water truck. A bulky item drop off will be available in the parking lot of Revere High School on this day as well. ONLY non-hazardous bulky items will be accepted (i.e., mattresses, furniture, bicycles, wood up to 4ft in length, lawn furniture, etc.). Items that will not be accepted are appliances, electronics, paint, and batteries. Money will be accepted by cash or check only. Attendees are asked to park in the Revere High School parking lot at 101 School Street for this event.
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