AMECO Dallas Scam: Watch Out for Fake Equipment Sites

This summer, we became aware of a fraudulent website using our name and representing itself as being in Dallas, TX.

The scammers created a fake equipment sales front tied to our company name in the Texas market, where we have been operating for 80 years. Their goal is standard for online fraud: post bogus inventory, collect wire transfers or ACH deposits from buyers, and disappear when no equipment shows up.

Our team is taking the necessary steps to get the domain shut down. In the meantime, we want to share a few red flags so you can protect your business from this site and similar scams popping up across the construction industry.

What Fake Equipment Sites Look Like

Scammers rely on heavy machinery and site equipment being hard to source quickly. They set up simple web pages, list generic inventory, and hope buyers act fast without double-checking the vendor.

If you are looking at an unfamiliar equipment listing online, watch out for these warning signs:

• The Price Is Way Below Market

If a machine or tool package is listed thousands of dollars under fair market value, pause immediately. Scammers use unrealistically low prices to create artificial urgency, hoping buyers will jump on a deal before doing standard due diligence.

• Off-Brand Web Addresses

Our official site is ameco.com. Our used equipment site is used.ameco.com. Fake sites almost always add extra words, city names, or hyphens to sound official, or they might swap a zero for an “O.” Always check the address bar in your browser.

• Demanding Wire Transfers or Upfront ACH

Fraudulent sites push hard for immediate wire transfers or direct deposit. Once a wire transfer clears, those funds are nearly impossible to trace or recover. Legitimate vendors work through established corporate billing, credit reviews, and verified payment channels.

• High-Pressure Closing Tactics

If a seller claims multiple people are bidding on the exact same unit right now, or says a price expires in two hours unless you wire a deposit, step back. A real supplier gives you time to inspect equipment, verify serial numbers, and review contracts properly.

• Fake or Generic Physical Addresses

Drop any listed business address into Google Maps satellite view. Fraudulent equipment sites often list addresses that turn out to be residential streets, empty parking lots, or unrelated commercial or industrial buildings.

How to Verify You Are Dealing with AMECO

If you ever have a question about a quote, invoice, or online equipment listing, here is how to make sure you are talking to the real team:

• Stick to our Official Site: Find all our equipment listings, site services, and regional office information directly at ameco.com. Our used equipment inventory is at used.ameco.com.
• Reach Out Directly: If an email or quote looks unfamiliar, do not reply directly to that sender. Call your regular AMECO account representative or reach us through our official published phone numbers.

See Something Suspicious?

If you come across a site pretending to be AMECO or spot a suspicious listing using our name, please let us know directly so our legal and security teams can address it. You can also file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.