CROSSVILLE MAN SCAMMED OUT OF $78,000 AFTER FAKE CHECK PAYS OFF TRUCK LOAN
WATE reports that Shawn Burgher, a resident of Crossville, Tennessee, recently fell victim to a sophisticated scam while selling his truck online via Facebook to downsize after purchasing a smaller one for his camper. Contacted by a buyer claiming to own a trucking company interested in the vehicle for smaller loads, Burgher arranged for the $78,000 payment to go directly toward paying off the loan with GM Financial through a three-way call.
After receiving confirmation from the lender that the payoff was complete and even obtaining a zero-balance letter the next day, he released the truck to a driver sent by the buyer late one night. However, six days later, the payment was reversed, leaving Burgher without the funds or the vehicle. GM Financial has not provided a clear explanation for the reversal and maintains it’s not their responsibility.
When Burgher filed a claim with his Farm Bureau Insurance, which he pays about $6,000 annually across policies and has held for two years, it was denied due to an exclusion for scams or theft by deception—coverage details that even agents were reportedly unaware of. The loss has been a major emotional and financial blow for Burgher, an independent contractor with a teacher wife and young daughter.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as an active case, but declined to comment.
Burgher is urging others to carefully review their insurance policies and learn from his experience to avoid similar online vehicle sale scams.
