AutoTrader.com Raises Consumer Awareness of Internet Fraud Issue

Company Creates Internal Task Force and Posts Educational Tips on Homepage

ATLANTA, Dec. 1 -- AutoTrader.com, the #1 online automotive classified advertising company in the U.S., is making consumer fraud awareness a top priority. Since educating site users and dealer customers is the best defense against fraudulent activity, the company has created an internal Fraud Task Force as well as beefed up language on its homepage and throughout the site about what activity is suspicious.

Jason Horner recognized the warning signs and alerted AutoTrader.com to a suspicious ad. His call enabled the company to remove the phony ad - saving other buyers from potentially losing thousands of dollars to the scam. "I called the customer service representative and he told me that AutoTrader.com doesn't have a warehouse in Denver, doesn't broker deals and was, basically, a classified advertising site. So, I was able to call Western Union and pull my money back."

The tips AutoTrader.com offers its consumers address the latest information on fraud scams and trends associated with buying a car on the Internet. Red flags consumers should be aware of are:

- Avoid overseas transactions; many scams originate in foreign countries because they're harder to trace.
- Don't buy something sight unseen, see the car and meet the person you are dealing with.
- Thoroughly verify all transactions, don't let your guard down just because a buyer suggests using an escrow service or gives you a cashier's check.
- Insist on getting a working phone number, a verified physical address, and an automobile title as official proof of ownership.
- Never give out your Social Security number, bank account or credit card information through e-mail or over the phone.

"We're doing our best to identify suspicious activity and remove it from our site," said Alan Smith, vice president of Customer Service, AutoTrader.com. "We are a front-line defense against illegal activity but consumers play an important role too - and we want them to have the best and most up to date information possible."

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location more than 2.8 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners, which provide the largest selection of vehicles attracting more than 10 million qualified buyers each month. Through innovative merchandising products such as multiple photos and comprehensive search functionality, AutoTrader.com unites buyer and seller online - dramatically improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles.

AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cocks Enterprises. Other investors include Landmark Communications, ADP, Inc., and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.