Billy Heck says what was supposed to be his dream truck turned into a financial nightmare after a local credit union wired $22,000 to what appears to have been a fake car dealership. He says he took out the loan in 2024 to buy a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado advertised online and has been making roughly $280 monthly payments on a vehicle that never showed up. When the supposed dealer’s website and phone numbers suddenly went dark, Heck filed a report with Hartford police.
How the loan unfolded
According to TMJ4, Heck says he found the Silverado listed through a dealer in Laredo, Texas. A Landmark Credit Union loan specialist allegedly told him the seller required a wire transfer before shipping the truck.
Heck provided emails TMJ4 reviewed where the loan specialist wrote that “for them to send the vehicle they need the funds first.” The money went out, but the truck did not. Heck says his follow-up calls led to dead phone lines and a vanished website, leaving him with a live loan on a very absent pickup.
Scam red flags and a growing problem
The Better Business Bureau says this is the kind of situation that fits a familiar pattern. So-called “virtual vehicle vendor” scams use slick-looking websites, fake reviews and high-pressure payment tactics to get buyers to wire large sums of money, then disappear.
These schemes have been hanging around since the pandemic and have not slowed down, according to the Better Business Bureau. One of the clearest warning signs: a seller who insists on a wire transfer instead of a more secure payment method.
Bank and police response
Landmark Credit Union told reporters it “initiated a formal complaint” and that leadership had started an internal review. Heck says the credit union removed the interest from his loan but is still holding him responsible for the principal, as reported by TMJ4.
Hartford police told TMJ4 the investigation is suspended because “the detective has exhausted all avenues in an attempt to find the suspect(s).” Heck says he wants the bank to at least meet him partway, or change its internal rules on wire transfers for out-of-state vehicle purchases so the next buyer is not left paying for a truck that never leaves the lot.
What victims can do
State consumer guidance warns that once money is sent by wire, it is often difficult to get back. The Connecticut Department of Banking notes that wired funds can be unrecoverable in internet car-sale scams and advises consumers to proceed with extreme caution.
Federal resources recommend documenting all communications and filing complaints with local police and federal agencies. For more details, see the Connecticut Department of Banking, the FBI’s IC3, or the FTC for filing guidance.
