MultiVu Video Feed: Buyers Beware - Some Deals Really Are Too Good to Be True

Be An Educated Consumer and Learn the Red Flags of Internet Fraud

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 -- The Internet can be a wonderful, convenient resource for consumers looking for merchandise at great prices. But how do you really know that an advertisement is legit, and you will actually get what you paid for?

The National Internet Fraud Information Center reports nearly a third of all the complaints it received in the first six months of this year involved goods that were misrepresented or never delivered, with an average consumer loss of nearly $4,400.

To help educate consumers to recognize the warning signs, AutoTrader.com has created an internal Fraud Task Force as well as placed new information on its website about how to spot suspicious activity. There are many red flags that could indicate fraud, so some tips to avoid becoming a victim include:

  * Avoid overseas transactions because they're difficult to trace.
  * Don't buy a car sight unseen;
  * Always verify payments; even escrow services and cashier's checks.
  * 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, account or credit card
    information through e-mail or phone.

AutoTrader.com has extensive information on fraud protection, available at www.autotrader.com

                             SATELLITE FEEDS:

         Thursday, December 1st, 2005    Thursday, December 8th, 2005
         2:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET            1:00 PM - 1:15 PM ET
         IA 5                            IA 5
         Transponder 7                   Transponder 7
         C-Band                          C-Band
         Downlink Freq: 3840 Vertical    Downlink Freq: 3840 Vertical

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  FORMAT:  News Package With Extra Soundbites and B-roll.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video, contact information and more available at http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22738/consumer.shtml

  SOUNDBITES:
  * Jason Horner, Potential Fraud Victim
  * Alan Smith, VP, Customer Service, AutoTrader.com

B-ROLL INCLUDES: AutoTrader.com Customer Service Center, AutoTrader.com website screen grabs on fraud protection, various shots of automobiles and trucks.

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: AutoTrader.com

Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22738/press.shtml