Business ProfileforAuto Trader Garage LLC

BBB of Metropolitan New York has received numerous reports of a fraudulent escrow/consignment company for online sales of recreational vehicles and large equipment.

Consumers report that an online selling scheme begins with a Craigslist ad for a large ticket item like a boat or RV/camper, but could also be for heavy equipment. The consumers say they are told by the "seller" that the transaction will be handled through a third party/escrow company called Auto Trader Garage. Many of the consumers say that the seller or Auto Trader Garage refuses the customer requests to visit/view the item(s) in-person due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Consumers are allegedly instructed to wire the funds for the item to Auto Trader Garage. The amounts being wired are in the thousands, some as high as almost $16K. A number of consumers say that after wiring the money, they are told arrangements for delivery are underway. However, shortly after that, nearly all consumers are reportedly informed about an accident that the delivery truck has had with their item, and that the item cannot be delivered in the damaged condition. Several consumers claim that Auto Trader Garage stalls for time by pretending they will issue a refund to them, but around this time is when the operators behind Auto Trader Garage cease communicating with the consumer. The consumer is out a significant amount of money and with seemingly limited ability to stop the wired funds.