3 days Ago By Michael Golson
A WOMAN is living a financial nightmare after being deceived by an elaborate online scam. Victoria and Jeremy Hankins, from Prentice, Wisconsin, traveled more than 11 hours on a round trip to Calumet City, Illinois, to pick up a 2024 Toyota Camry they found on Facebook Marketplace. Speaking to WSAW , Victoria said the owner of the Camry claimed he was selling it because his ex-wife had purchased a different one for their daughter.
Convinced and thrilled that she was getting a good deal, Hankins handed over $14,000 in cash for the vehicle, saying: “We were really excited. We were so happy.” “I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, is this too good to be true?’” However, it was only after purchasing the vehicle that she learned from the police that the car had been stolen.
Read more Motors News She said: “I was beside myself. I couldn’t function.” “I thought I was in a nightmare or something, just waiting to be pinched so I could wake up.
” Naturally, she tried to contact the seller, whom she knew as “DeAndre,” but he could not be found. She added: “We lost our life savings just like that. It’s put us in turmoil.
” Most read in Motors According to Kelley Blue Book, an American vehicle valuation and automotive research company, the value of the car is estimated to be between $25,000 and $27,000. To that end, Lisa Schiller, from the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, believes that when a price seems too good to be true, it’s almost always a major red flag. Schiller said: “If the price is significantly lower than market value, that might mean the seller, for some reason, is trying to get rid of that vehicle a little faster.
” “That should be a bit of a warning.” Schiller also warned potential buyers against using cash and purchasing vehicles through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace. She added: “Online vehicle sales leave so much room for fraud, more so than if you’re purchasing from a local, reputable dealer.
”” However, in Hankins' case, police say the scam was very well-executed, and even they were fooled by the fake vehicle title. Hankins said: “With the title, the state of Wisconsin had to reach out to the Secretary of Illinois to check on it because that title was so authentic.” “It took Wisconsin DOT and the state of Illinois a while to figure out that it was fake.
Then they found out that it was off by one digit.” Her family is now down thousands of dollars and without a vehicle, as it was impounded by the Price County Sheriff’s Office. Hankins, a patient advocate in the healthcare system, is known for her generosity, and her local community is rallying to help.
She said: “It just truly feels amazing and wonderful to be able to help them out and to know that I’m caring for them during tough times.” Kelly Witt-Erickson, a coworker, has even started a GoFundMe to support the family, with nearly $2,000 donated so far. “There are truly amazing people,” Hankins said.
“I just appreciate her help in trying to get back on track and move forward.” Read More on The US Sun In the meantime, authorities are urging anyone with information about the seller, known as “DeAndre,” to contact the Price County Sheriff’s Office. When looking to buy a used car, U.
S. News & World Report experts have a few tips before walking onto the sales lot. Set a realistic budget.
Some cars are more expensive to insure and register than others depending on engine type, body style, weight, and the amount of doors. Before being swindled by a crafty salesman, it's important to know what you can and can't afford. Researching what car would fit best into your lifestyle can save a lot of time.
Would a sedan work better for your garage or narrow street? Would a truck meet hauling or towing needs? Knowing what suits your needs can narrow down your options. Look into certified pre-owned cars. Certified pre-owned cars are backed by the manufacturer and come with comprehensive warranties at affordable prices.
Some manufacturers have better deals on CPO cars, so research diligently. Not all financing options are created equal. Depending on where you look to finance, if that's on the table, be very careful about who you finance with.
Your best option would be to get preapproved by your bank before going in to give you an idea of what rates are affordable, and to give a dealership incentive to meet or beat those rates. Consider a used car inspection. Depending on where you're buying a vehicle from, you can opt to pay roughly $200 for a used car inspection to have key components examined by an expert.
Consider a vehicle history report. When things get close to signing, buying a vehicle history report based on the VIN can help clarify the previous owners, maintenance records (if it was taken to a dealership), title status, and more. Source: U.
S. News and World Report.
