Common Scams Quick Facts When Selling a Used Car
- Fake cashier’s checks are becoming more common. Before you accept one, call the issuing bank to verify the check.
- Indeed, most people writing personal checks aren’t scammers, but we recommend not accepting one from a car buyer in most cases.
- Don’t fall for the shipping scam, where a buyer sends you more money than the car is worth for supposed shipping.
Selling your car can be stressful. To lessen the stress, we’ve listed a few scams you may run across when trying to sell your car yourself. If you’re aware of these common scams, you’ll be able to spot and avoid them and devote your attention instead to selling your vehicle.
Fake Cashier’s Checks
With improving technology, fake cashier’s checks are becoming more common. Even experts have trouble spotting such checks. Our suggestion: Call the bank identified on the check to confirm its authenticity before handing over your car’s title and paperwork. And don’t call the number on the check since that could be part of the scam.
Instead, search online for the bank’s phone number and call to verify the check. Cashing the check at the issuing bank is also advisable to ensure funds become available immediately.
Personal Checks
Very few people write checks anymore. Indeed, most people writing personal checks aren’t scammers, but we still wouldn’t accept one from a car buyer in most cases. Personal checks can be canceled after they’re written, meaning the buyer can keep the money and the car. Plus, there’s no way to verify that the buyer has the funds in their account. If you accept a personal check, wait for the funds to clear, and be sure the money appears in your bank account before signing over the title.
If the buyer has a problem with that, suggest a cashier’s check (using the precautions above), or find a different buyer.
Fake Shipping Scam
An increasingly popular scam involves a potential buyer insisting you help them ship a seller’s car overseas or across the country. In this scam, the buyer sends a check to the seller for more than the car’s price. The seller is then expected to send the extra money to the buyer’s shipper.
But after the seller wires the money to the shipper, the check turns out to be fake, leaving the seller out whatever money they sent to the supposed shipper.
Tips for Selling a Car
Of course, this isn’t a complete list of scams. As we discover more scams, scammers get more creative and develop new ways to take our money. So we have a few tips to offer if you’re selling your car.
You can avoid any scams by using Autotrader’s Private Seller Exchange marketplace, where sellers can list cars and buyers can purchase them all in a secure environment. The service verifies all identities and handles all paperwork, including title and funds transfer.
If you choose to handle the transaction and sale not using our marketplace, follow these additional tips.
- Don’t sign over anything, especially the car title, until the money is in your account and any payment is verified.
- Be sure to talk to the buyer over the phone or in person to establish a rapport.
- Most importantly, walk away if a deal feels like it isn’t right. There will always be another buyer, a legitimate one, for your car.
Read more about selling a car.
Related Articles on Selling a Car Yourself
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.
Sold my car and my bank showed the loan was paid off, a zero balance, and my account closed. I released the car the next day to the buyer, then a couple days later my bank informed me that the electronic transaction from the buyer’s bank had failed! I canceled my insurance on the car, and the bank evidently canceled my GAP insurance on the car. My bank actually charged ME a $30.00 bad check fee for the transaction that they said was successful! WHAT are my options?
Sold my car and my bank showed the loan was paid off, a zero balance, and my account closed. I released the car the next day to the buyer, then a couple days later my bank informed me that the electronic transaction from the buyer’s bank had failed! I canceled my insurance on the car, and the bank evidently canceled my GAP insurance on the car. My bank actually charged ME a $30.00 bad check fee for the transaction that they said was successful! WHAT are my options?
Avoid the VIN history report scams. First day the ad has been online and I have already had 2 people ask for it one at vinfactslookup.com and the other at vinrecordhistory.com. The first one I actual went there and purchased the report for $25 and sent it to the guy. Now I realize it is the exact same report that you get on the Autotrader ad website with the top Experian info stripped off and changed to a generic one. I now know to not pay for this and tell the person to go F themselves… Live and learn I guess.
Similar story. Have wasted a solid 2 hours responding to potential “buyers” who have no interest in the car other than to lead you to some fake VIN verification site. Admittedly it is hard to tell that the person you’re texting with is not a real buyer until 10 or 15 texts in, regarding the actual car…they drop the hammer and ask for some unknown history report. Need to figure out how to detect this sooner and waste less time…AND AutoTrader needs to figure out how to keep these losers off their site. Here’s hoping to get to “go F yourself” earlier in the game next time.
had an offer on autotrader for my asking price. possible buyer said they would send a cashiers check. Then states that “Once he mails the check a mover will be over for pick up when the check has been verified and cleared at your bank. They just need my full name and address and number to text/call you on once the check is sent overnight. Thoughts?
Scammer on 949-245-3336. Wants to send Bank certified check. I said wire and ‘he’ said check only. Such a scam.
how do they get our cel number?
Hey Joan, what ended up happening with this? I just had the exact same thing happen to me. Message was through Autotrader, BUT I noticed nobody has actually viewed the listing still … yet sent this message. Very odd.
Are there any seller scams? i have identified a car for sale that is well below market or well below what it should sell for. Plus the seller says some of his Autotrader ad has mistakes, even the mileage on Autotrader is higher than the real mileage, kind of opposite of what you’d expect.
My husband went to meet someone where the car is that we posted. He didn’t show up. Came home, and then had a text that said they were there now. When he went back and waited, they were not there and did not respond to calls. Also, have had the PayPal emails. Didn’t experience any of this 10 years ago when we posted. Very disappointed.
Do you have the extra keys, Where did you
get your car serviced, Have you ever had any transmission repairs and
Is there any rust on the vehicle? I’m ready to pay your asking price
but not cash in person because I am serving in the US army and
currently been deploy to Fort Huachuca Military Base , Arizona and
calls are restricted at the moment and my only quickest payment option
is PayPal, i will be responsible for the PayPal transaction charges As I am buying the vehicle for my dad
and I’m very sure he will love this vehicle, his a mechanic and a
handy man, so if there is anything that need to be fixed in it just
let me know he will handle it.
Got the same message!
I just had a guy email me the same questions for pics, extra keys, etc. stating he’s in the service and wants to buy the car for his dad and wants to pay via paypal. Immediately, I knew something wasn’t right.
This scam is still out there. Almost the same email was sent to me this morning. Fortunately, I was able to read about it here!
Thanks for posting this information. One thing I notice is that at the header of a lot of the suspicious emails: the header contains the phrase ‘via bounce.messages.autotrader.com. Is ‘via bounce messages” a red flag?
There is a 2014 Jeep unlimited posted on auto trader for $8900. private seller. I’m pretty sure I’ve just been ripped off a $1500. down payment. Please remove this before anyone else gets ripped off. I’m sick over it.
If you receive an email from seths1952@gmail.com, it’s a SCAM! He/she has tried to scam me twice into giving my paypal account information. Do NOT fall for it.
Just had a individual that would only text and sent me a check for the cost of the vehicle. Then asked if I could pay the shipper for picking up the unit and he would include that in the check. I told him the check would have to clear first and he did send me a check. I called the company on the check and they said they had someone right fraudulent checks on their account.
very helpful – thank you! We just got contacted by one of these scammers. Sad.
Got a text scam from 651-302-7929. If they say they are sending you a check with overage and you have to pay out to someone (like for transportation), don’t do it! Especially if they are in the Minneapolis, MN area. Basically the overage check scam is looking to take your money when you think that the check is good (like 1-2 days it takes to post to your account) but as soon as you send money you get a notification from your bank that there is “insufficient funds” and you are out $$$. They are pretty slick. Even called me on the phone to try to convince me that they are legitimate.
Watch out for this guy/gal – Guy saying he’s in the military and can only pay via Paypal. jeannetta3@gmail.com
I had the exact same scam as detected by Ron Barr. This guy is claiming to be a soldier at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. But it uses the exact same text as quoted below.
Got a text from ZoeBowerOTax@yahoo.com, 570-519-4477. I don’t see anything saying this is a scam, but it felt fishy. She is in a different state but eager to see my car IF I provide a report from some 3rd party. I suspect this is the type of scam where she gets a kickback when I pay to provide that report.
This was posted before, but just got this so it is still active. From 949-614-5456 group text, rosenda32@gmail.com. Basically same text as was reported before. So I knew it was a scam.
I just received an email much like the comments below but they want my paypal info.
I am stringing one along right now…lol 336 450 0014 is the number shown. “Allen” says the bank is called USA Bank.
Also just posted a listing on cars.com, received a text from 425-551-7781 with similar inquiries as below…very helpful posts and replies, thank you…was able to confirm it was a scam after stating all transactions MUST be done in person rather via paypal, etc..
Here’s my anti-scammer strategy.
1) Lead them all on to think you’re gullible and willing to sell.
2) Collect all the different email addresses and phone numbers from the scammers
3) Inform all the scammers that they need to contact you at a different number/email address due to unforeseen circumstances.
4) Randomly give all the scammers the contact info of the OTHER scammers in hopes that they will all go round and round in circles with one another, each thinking the other is me (i.e. seller).
5) Bask in my evil genius ways!
This is what I get from a guy named Scott saying that he wanted to buy my car as a surprise for his son who graduated from university.
Due to the nature of my work i am a very busy man working all day, am a (Operating officer) am presently on-board, i don’t have access to my bank account online as am not with my credit card details here but i have my ANZ bank account link up with my PayPal account so I will be paying you through Account to your nominated bank account or better still is if you have a PayPal account ,please get back to me with your BSB and account details or PayPal account so i can proceed with the payment and contact the courier agent who will come to pick it up and deliver it in NT for my son .Await your reply”
I am getting text messages that are being intercepted by someone else posing as a seller. When. I go to MY ACCOUNT it shows I have no vehicle for sale. When I tried sending a message from the listing to the seller the email never arrived in my inbox. This was all within 24 hours of the listing. Someone else is posing as a seller.
I just received the identical request from the same numbers.
i just got this…. looks like a scam..??
Thank you for your prompt reply. I’m Mr Conley, i am interested,i will like to know the final price and I want you to get back to me with more pictures and its current condition because I can’t come over to view it. I am buying it as a gift for my son that lives in Texas
I’m an Oil Rig Sub Sea Engineer for Shell and due to the nature of my work, I am restricted to phone call as I am currently offshore. I can only communicate via email at the moment and I hope you understand.You need not worry about h ow it will get to him as I have a shipping agent that will handle the documentation and the pick up on my behalf.
thoughts?
Yep. BF just got that one. Had me read it and I told him sounds like a SCAM.
I can appreciate these are scammers (we received the jimmetzsales@gmail.com one), but how am I supposed to know who is a legitimately interested person if I can’t trust the email or text that just wants more information?
I received three texts from different numbers (516) 259-0748 “Hey interested in ur vehicle… do get back to sgtpameladennis300@gmail.com with condition and firm price”. (209) 260-3028 Hello, my name is jimmy,am interested in your vehicle posted on AUTOTRADER, kindly email me more zoom interior,exterior and engine pictures to my private email address at jimmetzmails@gmail.com)and we can proceed from there.please understand that i cant view image here, Email only Thank you. Jimmy
Got the same message…. typically I just delete and do not reply…. I google the area code, to see where. one flag is the fact that they ask about the car, asking price and condition… I am like, there is a price is on the site and their our pictures
Got exact same message…
I also just receive text from 7272652945 saying they wanted to know condition and firm price see attatched
Just listed my car and here is a scam that seems common (I found it on another site too). Below, I’ve copied it verbatim: “Hi,is your Vehicle on Autotrader still for sale??Pls email me at. (gomezwilsonn10@gmail.com).
This same exact text message woke me up at 1am this morning. SO FRUSTRATING.
Here is what I got: Thanks for your response,Do you have extra keys? and When is the last
date you serviced it? are you the original owner, i need answers to my
question because I’m ready to pay but not cash in person because I’m
currently on a business trip and i am buying this vehicle as a
birthday surprise gift for my wife. and my only quickest payment
option from here is cash.me, cash.me is fast and secured, I will send
you payment using your cashme ID and you will sign in to your cashme
account and move the money into your bank account, its very easy, Go
to cash.me and set up your account in 2 min, get back to me with your
cashme ID when you are done, and i will process the payment asap. I
have a mover that will come for the pick up once payment clears in
your account and you have your cash. The mover will handle the papers
on my behalf. I can send a means of Identification if you want me to,
so you will know who you are selling your vehicle to and you can feel
safe, because am not available to handle this in person. I’ll look
forward to your response with the the details below.
Your Cash.me ID:
Your Firm Asking Price :
Your Zip Code for Pick Up:
Your Mobile Phone Number:
Shawn.
Same thing. Guy texted me saying he was interested and to email him pics; I did, and he replied with almost the exact same thing. Only he said he was on a “business trip” and would pay me through cash.me.
I got the same texts and emails with minor details changed from four different scammers all with the same MO. 3 asking for Pay Pal info and one cash.me, 24 hours after posting my car for sale. Definitely a scam. Don’t give any information out.
I just got the same one…from “Shawn. I knew it was a scam. I got an identical one from “Robert” less than 30 minutes later.
Same thing here in Michigan. Exact same email.
My son received a text late afternoon today Oct 6 2016 about a vehicle he’s selling on his brother’s behalf. Same M.O “defo want vehicle, will send check, and arrange pick up by company” Son called “Jeffrey” on cell number..unavailable, text him again, Jeffrey said “calls are restricted where I work”. This is the cellphone number 1 843 583 8855. Son placed an ad in the Joplin MO Craigslist. Red flag went up when the guy said he would buy car without seeing it.
This one was helpful, thank you for posting. Same number texted, regarding a car I’m selling in the local kc craigs list. Wants to send a check and will send movers to pick it up.
This was very helpful. I’ve just received a very similar conversation. Thank you
I received two text messages today asking me if I still had the car for sale (about 4 hours after the ad went live), to email more information, pictures, etc. one was from (201)829,5740, the other (585)642-4627. I told them both “yes” and to call me if they wanted to see the car. I did NOT email them! No calls. I then called those #’s from my GV account, and the automated response was those text message phone #’s unavailable. Obviously scammers!
Watch out also for buyers offering to pay by pay pall.make sure the money in the account before parting with car. and never deal with any shipping of car anywhere.
Never pay for collection off you car offering to pay back fee on collection.they don’t turn up in the first place.
My advice is deal face to face.cash in hand.
No bankers drafts etc.