Nowadays you can buy almost everything online, including used cars. If you are thinking about shell out your hard-earned cash, read this warning about scammers trying to sell you cars they don’t even own.
How the scam works? Scammers post ads for example on online auction or sales websites, like eBay Motors, for cars they don’t really own. They act normal: offer to chat online, share photos and answer questions. They will promise you that the sale will go through a trustworthy retailer’s buyer protection program
Then if you call the number on invoice, the criminals pretends working for eBay Motors. Buyers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because of this over the past year.
So how can you tell if an online car sale is fake?
- Check out the reviews online.
- Scammers try to rush the sale.
- Scammers won’t meet in person.
- Scammers want you to pay with gift cards or by wire transfer.
- The sellers demand more money after the sale (for shipping or transportation costs).
For more tips, check out ftc.gov/usedcarsand Online Auction Buyers. Want to avoid the latest rip-offs? Sign up for free consumer alerts from the FTC at ftc.gov/subscribe. If you spot a scam, report it at ftc.gov/complaint.
