A North Carolina veteran has apparently been scammed out of $40,000 while searching for his wife and their cats, who all went missing after their home was swept away by Hurricane Helene.
According to CNN, Navy veteran Rod Ashby of Elk Park has been hunting for his missing wife, Kim Ashby, and their three dogs since late September—when their home was damaged in the floods that has devastated North Carolina and adjacent states.
Rod’s daughter, Ansley Ashby, told the source that her father’s Ford F-350 truck had been destroyed and smashed by floodwaters, and he was looking for a new heavy-duty vehicle to assist him find Kim, Ansley’s stepmother, in the debris-covered roads and neighboring woods.
He had received an insurance settlement for his F-350 and was searching for something simple that wouldn’t “break the bank with everything else going on and that he could get fairly quickly,” Ansley told CNN.
The Navy vet had came across a website for a Colorado car dealership that advertised repossessed cars for less than market value. According to the outlet, Rod had multiple phone and email exchanges with the business before attempting to acquire a 2020 F-350 for $40,000.
He reportedly obtained a bill of sale and an official-looking contract before wiring the money to the seller. Rod was informed that the car would be shipped to him within a few days.
“It seemed legit, to be honest,” Rod’s daughter stated.
However, she suspected something was wrong when the car’s listing remained up days after the alleged sale. Ansley quickly contacted the dealership using a new phone number. She was told that the truck was still for sale, which is when she recognized the transaction was a hoax.
After further investigation, she told CNN that the website was created by a scammer imitating a legitimate car shop in Colorado.
“It’s just another gut punch,” she explained. “You just feel so helpless.”
The Ashby family reported the event to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in Pittsboro, where Rod and Ansley live, and the case is being investigated.
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The owner of the real Colorado vehicle dealership told CNN that he was getting calls from folks who had fallen victim to the scam.
“They are taking the money and people aren’t even seeing the cars (in person) or anything,” according to the owner. “They are blindly transferring the money.”
Ansley further claimed that Rod was open about why he wanted a new truck throughout his phone chats with the scammer.
According to the family’s GoFundMe page, managed by Kim’s daughter Jessica Meidinger, the 58-year-old instructor has been missing since September 29, three days after Helene arrived in Florida.
“Hurricane Helene swept her and my stepdad’s vacation home into the Elk River,” Meidinger said in the fundraiser’s description. “After several days, Rod was evacuated safely and has been living at our home along with many other family members who have gathered to band together during this difficult time.”
According to the family, Rod and Kim became separated while their house was swept away by roaring floodwaters.
According to Avery County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Van Williams, authorities and volunteer groups have searched the Elk River for Kim without success, according to CNN. She and one other person are the only two people who remain missing after Helene.
“Search and rescue efforts have been underway since September 29th to no avail,” Meidinger said in the GoFundMe, adding that the money given will go for Rod’s home and car, medical costs, and other required needs.
As of Sunday, November 10, the GoFundMe had generated more than $70,000 of its $100,000 target with donations from 754 donors.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides various advice for purchasers looking for secondhand cars to prevent being duped. Furthermore, buyers should always speak with the seller over the phone and ask plenty of questions, see the car before purchasing it, be cautious if extra fees appear to be piling up, and consider how legitimate the seller is if you’re asked to wire funds, use prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency, or digital wallet transfers.
“Be wary of deals that appear too good to be true. It’s likely a fraud. “Scammers know that used cars are in high demand, and they will entice buyers with great deals,” the BBB noted. “Do not succumb to threats or pressure. Resist the impulse to act instantly. Always take your time while making a purchase, especially if it’s a high-priced vehicle.”