If you suspect fraud while purchasing a vehicle online, who should you contact?

Contacting the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the best course of action if you suspect fraud while purchasing a vehicle online. The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center designed specifically to receive, develop, and refer internet-related criminal complaints. Their expertise focuses on online fraud, making them equipped to investigate incidents related to online vehicle purchases and provide guidance on how to proceed.

While law enforcement, such as the police, can be important in addressing a crime, the IC3 specializes in internet fraud, which can enhance the likelihood of a thorough investigation tailored to the specifics of online transactions. Similarly, while an insurance company might help with issues once you're a policyholder, they aren't the right entity to handle cases of online fraud at the purchasing stage. Contacting the DMV is not relevant for fraud issues; their focus is on vehicle registration and driver licensing, not on fraud investigations. Thus, reaching out to the IC3 places you in the right hands for addressing online vehicle purchase fraud specifically.