Mobility Scooter Scams Are Out of Control!

Hey everyone — Sergio here from Mobility Direct. If you’d rather watch than read, I just dropped a video version of this post on our YouTube channel. It covers all the same stuff, plus a fun (and kind of heartbreaking) skit with my daughter Addie to show just how low these scammers can stoop. Watch the video if you prefer, or keep reading below for the full breakdown.

I’m not writing this as some corporate message. This is personal. I’ve been in this industry for years, and nothing gets under my skin more than seeing seniors, especially those with mobility issues, getting ripped off by scammers.

Sadly, it’s happening every day. These scams are slick, convincing, and they’re stealing money from people who are just trying to buy a mobility scooter so they can live life independently. That’s why I’m laying it all out right here — how the scams work, how to spot them, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Let’s start with a short video that made the mainstream news about a fake Costco.com ad that was a scam, targeting seniors who need mobility scooters.

This Isn’t New… But It’s Getting Worse

Back in 2019, we made a simple Facebook post warning people about mobility scooter scams. We had no idea how big it would get. That post exploded — tens of thousands of people shared their own horror stories. People were tagging family members, warning neighbors, and opening up about getting scammed out of thousands of dollars.

And the thing is, these weren’t isolated cases. It was happening everywhere. And now in 2025, it hasn’t slowed down — in fact, it’s gotten worse. The scammers have better-looking websites, more believable ads, and fake reviews that seem real. We’ve even seen websites that look just like the official Walmart website, but they’re fake. Websites are easy to design with a very professional presentation, even though it’s 100% a fake business. Don’t be fooled — it’s still the same con with a fresh coat of paint.

How These Scams Usually Work

Here’s how most of these mobility scooter scams go down:

• Too-good-to-be-true pricing — They’ll list a $1,500 scooter for $499. Trust me, no legit dealer is doing that without a catch.
• Fake checkout pages — You think you’re buying from a real site, but it’s just a shell that takes your money and runs.
• Social media bait — They run flashy Facebook or Instagram ads showing happy seniors riding scooters, but the moment you buy, communication stops.
• Cash-only payment methods — Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfer. No credit card option = no recourse if you get scammed.
• Stolen branding — They copy photos, videos, and even fake dealer logos from real companies to seem legit.

🚨 Real Scam Examples We’ve Seen

• One woman in Arizona told us she paid $69 for a “Pride” scooter through a Facebook ad — only to receive a cheap, flimsy knockoff that didn’t even turn on. The return address was in China, and nobody ever responded to her refund request.
• A veteran in Florida thought he was getting a great deal on a heavy-duty scooter from a website offering “Veterans Only” discounts. Turns out the site was completely fake, and it vanished a week after he placed his order.
• A daughter messaged us in tears after buying her elderly dad a scooter for Father’s Day. The site took her $1,100, and nothing ever showed up. When she tried to call them, the number was disconnected.
• We’ve even seen sites steal our Mobility Direct YouTube videos and repost them on scam websites to make it seem like we’re affiliated, which we absolutely are not.

These are just a few examples, and unfortunately, we hear stories like this every single week. Take a look at the most recent comments on our Facebook post, warning people about these types of scams.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed

Alright, here’s some real talk — because I don’t want you (or anyone you care about) getting burned.

One of the most important precautions you can take is to avoid purchasing from online-only businesses. Companies that operate exclusively online, without a physical storefront or showroom, are significantly more likely to be fraudulent compared to those with established brick-and-mortar locations.

Legitimate businesses that sell medical equipment from a physical location are subject to strict regulatory oversight at both the state and county levels. For example, in the state of Florida, any business selling mobility devices — including scooters and power wheelchairs — must be licensed through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). At Mobility Direct, we are fully licensed by AHCA and proudly accredited by HQAA (Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation).

Our accreditation and licensing require us to meet rigorous standards and submit to unannounced inspections by regulatory field officers. These visits ensure we are in full compliance with all guidelines related to the sale and distribution of medical equipment. This oversight exists to protect you, the customer, and is one of the key differences between trustworthy providers and those operating under the radar.

If you’re evaluating a business and want to ensure it’s legitimate, here are additional tips to help you perform your due diligence:

• Call the company before you order. If nobody answers or you get some generic call center that doesn’t know anything about scooters, that’s a red flag. At Mobility Direct, real humans answer the phone — and we actually know the products we sell.
• Make sure they’re listed on trusted review sites. Reputable companies have ratings on Google, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Facebook, Yelp, Trustpilot, and more. If you can’t find anything outside of their own website, you might want to pump the brakes.
• Use a credit card for your purchase. It gives you fraud protection if something goes wrong. Never use Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or wire transfers for something this important. If they’re not set up for credit cards — that’s a bad sign.
• Search for reviews off their site. Scam websites often have fake testimonials that are copy-pasted or AI-generated. Do a quick Google search, check YouTube, or ask around in Facebook groups. If nobody’s ever heard of them, that’s a red flag.
• Pay attention to the website design and language. Scam sites often have broken English, missing product details, or checkout pages that look like they were built in a rush. If something feels off, trust your gut.
• Do a Google Search For The Company Name + “SCAM”. If you search “Is mobility direct a scam?” on Google, you’ll see that we have a clean result set, meaning we are known for being a legit company. Test out the company you’re auditing, and you might see a forum like Reddit revealing the truth behind the brand that might be scamming you!

The bottom line? If the company is legit, they’re not hiding. They’ll have a track record, a team you can call, store locations you can find, and reviews from real people who’ve actually used their products. Don’t settle for anything less — your mobility and your money are too important.

Mobility Direct Is Here to Help

Whether you’re shopping or just trying to get some advice, you can always count on me, Andrew, or one of our amazing team members. We’re real people, we answer the phones, and we’ve helped thousands of folks just like you find the right scooter, without the scams. Just check out our YouTube channel where you’ll see me, Andrew and the rest of our professional team making videos on a weekly, if not daily, basis.

We also offer:

• Free catalog requests – Request yours here
• In-depth YouTube reviews – Check out our videos
• Monthly giveaways – We give away scooters to real people who comment and subscribe to our channel
• Lifetime tech support on everything we sell

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, thank you. This stuff matters. I wrote this because I’ve seen firsthand how bad it can get when someone falls for one of these scams. And if this post helps even one person avoid getting ripped off, it’s worth it.

So do me a favor — share this post with someone you care about. If you’re ever unsure about a company, reach out to us. Even if you don’t buy from us, we’ll still help you make sure the company you’re looking at is legit.

— Sergio
Co-Founder, Mobility Direct