Consumer Alert: Consumers Should Avoid Phony Knoxville Auto Website

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is warning Tennessee consumers about a phony auto sales website that’s posing as an actual longtime Knoxville auto dealer in order to swindle potential customers.

Cupp’s Auto Sales (1106 N. Broadway, Knoxville, Tenn. 37917) is a small, family-owned business that’s been in operation for nearly 25 years. The dealership, which is licensed by the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission, does not have a website. However, scammers have created a website using some of Cupp’s Auto Sales actual information in order to trick unsuspecting buyers into purchasing nonexistent vehicles.

“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated every day, thanks to technology,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Consumers can combat these scams by always looking before they buy, and only buying from trusted, authenticated sources.

The fictitious Cupp’s Auto Sales lists the dealership’s owner as “Jason Cupp,” advertises discount prices on expensive, high-end autos and uses a phone number with a Knoxville area code that connects to a voice-mail where callers can leave their information and have their call returned. In reality, Cupp’s Auto Sales’ owner is Will Cupp, and he sells late-model used vehicles at the dealership which does not have a website.

Will Cupp learned of the fake website when customers called and visited his lot to inquire about cars they’d seen on the website. Cupp contacted local and state law enforcement authorities in addition to the state Motor Vehicle Commission in order to raise awareness among Tennessee consumers.

 “I’m just concerned about the victims,” said Cupp. “I don’t want people to be scammed and lose any money. It’s a pretty elaborate scam, and I want people to steer clear of the website.

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