“Ghost item” fraud involves the sale of counterfeit, heavily misrepresented, or entirely non-existent goods such as vehicles, equipment, livestock, or real estate. You ‘purchase’ the item that is listed on a temporary website or on social media. The scammer requests payment by wire (which is non-refundable); once your money is received, they disappear without delivering the item. Here’s how to avoid this scam:
* Verify the website and the business. Inspect the URL, search for customer reviews, and call locals in that area to verify the seller.
* Research the item for sale. Request multiple pictures or even a video.
* Don’t provide payment until the item is viewed in person.
* Never pay via wire or bank transfer. Use a credit card or hand a cashier’s check to the seller.
* Watch out for “too good to be true” deals.
If you know someone who has been scammed, report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.
