BBB Scam Tracker Reports in Connecticut Nearly Double in 2025

Residents lost over $2.6 million to scammers, with online purchase scams the most common

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The number of scams reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Connecticut nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025, with residents losing over $2.6 million to scammers. Online purchase scams, particularly involving the sale of vehicles, were the most common type of scam reported.

Why it matters

The sharp rise in scam reports in Connecticut highlights the growing threat of fraud, especially as more consumers turn to online marketplaces. The significant financial losses suffered by victims underscores the need for greater awareness and education to help protect consumers from falling prey to sophisticated scams.

The details

In 2025, the BBB in Connecticut received over 1,700 scam reports, nearly double the number from the previous year. The most common scam was online purchase fraud, with 476 reports, followed by phishing (409 reports) and employment scams (217 reports). Four of the five most expensive online purchase scams involved the sale of vehicles, including a case where a Vernon man lost $36,000 trying to buy a 1970 Chevelle that never materialized.

  • In 2025, the number of scams reported to BBB Connecticut nearly doubled from 2024.
  • In September 2025, a Vernon resident named Dave MacCoy lost $36,000 in an online vehicle purchase scam.

The players

BBB Connecticut

The local chapter of the Better Business Bureau that tracks and reports on scams affecting Connecticut residents.

Dave MacCoy

A resident of Vernon, Connecticut who lost $36,000 in an online vehicle purchase scam in 2025.

Debbie MacCoy

The wife of Dave MacCoy, who discovered the scam after researching the seller's phone number online.

Kristen Johnson

An analyst with BBB Connecticut who reviewed the organization's 2025 scam reports.

Joe Courtney

A U.S. Congressman representing Connecticut's 2nd district, whom the MacCoys contacted about the scam.

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What they’re saying

“I was like, oh my god, this car is everything, and I've just been searching for it, just waiting to retire.”

— Dave MacCoy (WFSB)

“My heart sunk, and then I came downstairs and he's still looking out the window, and I said, 'Dave, you've been scammed.'”

— Debbie MacCoy (WFSB)

“You know, go to BBB.org, look up the company. Look them up at BBB Scam Tracker. Do an internet search with the word scam. Especially if you've never heard of the business before, that five minutes can save you so much time and headache down the road.”

— Kristen Johnson, Analyst, BBB Connecticut (WFSB)

“I thought, there's no way it can happen to me. You know, it happens to somebody else. It's always somebody else, but it happened to me. You know, I got bit.”

— Dave MacCoy (WFSB)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.