Increasingly sophisticated criminals are targeting dealerships at an ever-growing rate, according to the results of an eLEND Solutions survey of U.S. dealers, nearly 80% of whom say fraudulent activity is on the rise.

Nearly half (48%) of respondents lost four or more vehicles to fraudulent transactions in 2025; 10% lost at least 10. Nearly all (95%) blame the increased digitization of vehicle sales and financing, including the proliferation of remote deliveries.

The results dovetail with those reported by respondents to a similar survey conducted by Experian, for whom four lost vehicles was about average last year.

In a release, eLEND executives say invalid driver’s licenses are the leading cause of fraud. Dealers surveyed by Experian ranked falsified or misreported income No. 1.

“This is a snapshot of the onslaught of fraud auto dealerships are experiencing in all aspects of their business, much of it a result of the increasing digitization of the auto purchase process,” writes eLEND founder and CEO Pete MacInnis. “The data underscores that identity fraud is especially pernicious, even though its number one factor — the driver’s license — makes it the easiest to solve.”

Read more at eLEND Solutions