February 8, 2012 – Our Better Business Bureau was alerted by the Helena Chamber of Commerce that Vehicles Bay Inc., an online car dealership states they are located in Helena, MT. Their website, www.vehiclesbay.com lists cars and trucks for a fraction of the retail price. BBB warns consumers to be wary of items with extreme discounts and promises that sound ‘too good to be true’.
Vehicles Bay Inc. claims they are located at 301 Douglas St. Helena, MT 59601, but the Montana Attorney General’s office confirmed this to be false. The website vehiclesbay.com was registered on 1/12/2012 out of Sunnyvale, CA.
BBB recommends the following tips to avoid being fooled by shiny cars with false claims:
Check every business with BBB. Not only do you want to research the Web site with the BBB, you also want to research the business that is offering the deal. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal on both Web sites and only go with businesses that have a good rating with BBB.
Do not offer credit card or bank information. Scammers are quick to offer outrageous deals in exchange for your financial information. Once they have money, chances are you will never receive your product or service!
Major purchases require a contract. No contract, no deal. Cars and homes are among the most expensive purchases an average person makes. Such purchases require contracts (and often financing) to protect both the buyer and the seller. Do not make a major purchase without a legally binding contract.
Avoid major purchases over the Internet. A major purchase is one you will live with for a long time. Treat your buying decision with this in mind. In the case of a vehicle, research the vehicle identification number (VIN), test drive the car or truck, and inquire into the repair history and odometer accuracy if it is a used vehicle. Researching these items requires more information than the Internet can possibly provide.
Require physical evidence of products and businesses. It is very easy to create a website with a phony business offering non-existent products. Verify the physical existence of businesses and products before making a purchase (especially a major purchase).
Our Better Business Bureau alerted of a similar scam in October 2011, for a company called ‘Auto Bay’. To see this alert, click here.