Aug 7, 2025
A Rosedale, MD, woman is hoping a company she paid thousands to for a used car will follow through with their promise. According to WMAR-2, earlier this year, Debra Godsey paid Vehicle Veterans $2,800 to help her find a reliable used car. Initially, she received photos, emails and texts from the company discussing potential vehicles.
Then in May, the company went silent.
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Without a vehicle, Godsey says it takes her hours to reach her job at Arundel Mall by bus. She also wants to start her own chauffeur service, but first, she needs the car that Vehicle Veterans promised they could find for her.
Since WMAR-2 News first reported on Vehicle's Veterans, other alleged victims have come forward. Godsey did finally receive a car — but it had multiple issues. It's now in the shop and she's back on the bus.
Multiple complaints against the company
Vehicle Veterans initially stated they needed up to five months to locate the right vehicle for Godsey, despite their website promising refunds after one month if they failed to deliver. When pressed by WMAR-2 reporter Mallory Sofastaii, a company representative described the refund policy as a "market strategy," stating that refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Eventually, a man identifying himself as Vernon Crowffey — also known as “Photo Vee” — delivered a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse to Godsey. While she was grateful to receive a vehicle, she found the car had over 167,000 miles on it, plus multiple recalls and error codes. The car broke down after only a few days.
Other customers say they haven't even had this much luck. In another news report, Tammie Skinner, a woman from Calvert County, says she handed over $10,000, her inheritance from her late mother, in hopes of finding a reliable used car. Like Godsey, she said the company went silent after she paid them.
“I didn’t want the monthly payment,” Skinner told WMAR-2 News, explaining that she needed a used car because supports 13 people in her household and struggles to afford food, let alone transportation.
Crowffey, who helped launch Vehicles Veterans with his cousin, Michael Henry, says Henry handled the business's finances and has disappeared with the funds. Crowffey insists he's doing what he can to make things right.
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"I just feel so committed to people, you know, and doing what's right in this whole situation," Crowffey told WMAR-2 News. "I still planned on standing in the forefront and making sure that I can do whatever I can to make things right,"
However, several customers showed WMAR-2 News receipts showing they made Square payments to Crowffey's photography business. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protections Division has also received several complaints about Vehicle Veterans.
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How to protect yourself from similar scams
Car buying scams often target vulnerable buyers with limited budgets and few options. To protect yourself, be aware of red flags, such as pressuring you to send large payments before seeing or test-driving a vehicle, refusal to provide a written contract, or claims of a 'special' connection.
Before making a purchase, ensure that the company is a legitimate car broker by verifying the following:
- Broker or dealer licenses: Contact your state's motor vehicle administration to ensure the company is licensed to buy and sell vehicles.
- Business registration: Use your state's business search tool to confirm the company is legitimate and owned by the person you expect.
- Online reviews and complaints: Check with the Better Business Bureau, Google reviews, and the state attorney general’s office.
- Contract terms: Always get a written agreement that outlines your rights, their responsibilities, and refund and delivery timelines.
If you've already sent money and believe you've been scammed, here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Send a certified letter: Request a refund in writing and send it via certified mail so you have proof it was delivered.
- Gather documentation: Save screenshots of texts, emails, receipts, and any public claims made by the company.
- File a formal complaint: Contact your state's attorney general or consumer protection bureau and file a complaint.
- Report the fraud to your payment provider: If you paid via Zelle, PayPal or a credit card, report the transaction as fraudulent. Some platforms may be able to reverse the charges.
- Warn others: Consider leaving reviews on online platforms like Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau to prevent others from falling victim.
While Godsey still hopes her car can be fixed, others are still waiting for answers, a refund, or simply the reliable transportation they were promised. As more customers come forward, state investigators may step in. For now, those who handed over their savings to Vehicle Veterans are left navigating their lives without the cars they paid for.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
