Car Dealer Uses False Name on Facebook to Sell Motor Vehicles

A car dealer in Chirk has pleaded guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations for creating a false Facebook identity which he used to sell motor cars.

Paul Kevin Williams of Weston Rhyn is a motor trader who sells motor vehicles from the Williams of Chirk site based in Chirk.

Williams had set up a Facebook account in the name of Dave Summer and used this to sell vehicles on a Car Sales Facebook page. Mr Williams would arrange to meet sellers away from his normal trading premises in Chirk.

When meeting the customers to clinch the sale of the vehicles, he made no attempt whatsoever to reveal his true identity or to disclose his status as a car trader. This was a deliberate act to avoid any obligations he had as a trader.

Two complaints were received by Wrexham Trading Standards about Mr Williams possibly selling cars under the name of Dave Summer. Had the first complainant’s car not developed a fault soon after purchase, this would not have been reported and Trading Standards would have had no reason to investigate the name Dave Summer.

Williams was fined £1,000 by Wrexham Magistrates.

Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, Cllr David Kelly, said: “Facebook is becoming the new invisible market place for people who want to remain anonymous or untraceable. If you have any information relating to Traders who operate in this way please report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.”