Beware of Website Impersonators

In recent news, criminals are creating fake versions of dealer websites that look real. They send links to customers and ask for deposits by bank transfer, wire, or payment app. It’s critical that you monitor for this. That means regularly checking online to see if anyone is impersonating your dealership. Look for:

• Fake websites using your dealership name or logo (e.g., “mydealershipcars.com” instead of “mydealership.com”).
• Social media pages pretending to be your business, often using stolen photos and inventory listings.
• Online ads or listings (on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, AutoTrader, etc.) showing your vehicles but directing buyers to a fake website or different phone number.
• Customer reports: if a customer says, “I saw your site but the phone number was different,” or “I already sent a deposit,” treat it as an immediate red flag.

To monitor effectively:

• Google your dealership name and common variations weekly (including misspellings).
• Set up Google Alerts for your business name and website address so you’re notified if new pages appear.
• Search Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for pages or posts using your dealership name or logo.
• Check your domain registrar for look-alike domains, such as one-letter variations or added words like “sales,” “finance,” or “online.”
• Encourage customers to contact you immediately if they find a suspicious site or ad claiming to be you.

Please phone David Cardella at CIADA if you discover any of this happening at 303-239-8000 x302.