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How to avoid online car buying scams Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive financial calculators and tools as well as publishing unique and impartial content. We also allow you to conduct your own research and compare information at no cost to help you make sound financial decisions. Bankrate has agreements with issuers including, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The offers that appear on this website are provided by companies who pay us. This compensation could affect how and where products appear on this site, including such things as the order in which they be listed within the categories of listing, except where prohibited by law. This applies to our mortgage home equity, mortgage and other products for home loans. This compensation, however, does affect the information we publish, or the reviews you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial deals that could be accessible to you.
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5 minutes read. published on October 13, 2022.
Authored by Rebecca Betterton Written by Auto Loans Reporter
Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She specializes in assisting readers with the ins and outs of securely taking out loans to purchase a car.
The edit was done by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor
Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are enthusiastic about helping readers gain the confidence to manage their finances through providing clear, well-researched information that dissects complex subjects into digestible pieces.
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The ability to purchase a car from the at-home comforts of your sofa by just a few clicks is a great option however, it comes with some risks. Like the majority of the world of online there are scams that have slipped into the realm of. Beware of common scams to ensure you don’t make a loss in the process of getting an automobile. Most common scams when buying a car online These are the scams FTC (Federal Trade Commission) provides guidelines for online vehicle sales –but there are a few commonly-spread scams to be on the lookout for when . Identity theft Some scammers are not only looking to con you out of your funds, but also to collect your personal data. They will request information like your Social Security number, birthdate or banking number. Do not share any personal details with prospective sellers, other than your name and number. If you do apply for a position , ensure that it is licensed, legitimate and has a good reputation. If not, it’s more beneficial to apply outside of the dealership -or go to a location where you can confirm whether the vendor is above board. Fake ads When you are seeking an auction, you may see advertisements that don’t list the VIN, or vehicle identification number. If you’re unable to verify the authenticity of the vehicle exists — as in see it personally and confirm that the VIN is valid Don’t pay. It is not uncommon for scammers to present vehicles in ads but not have it. Even if the car exists, confirm that it’s not listed as stolen and that it has a clean vehicle history report. The scam of “curbstoning” occurs when a dealer pretends to be a private seller with the intention of selling an unconformity-related vehicle with normal dealer rules — meaning it has an unsalvaged title or has been damaged in any way. A salvaged title could cause major headaches when it concerns insuring the vehicle. Avoid this fraud by staying away from cars that are sold online on empty lots in the middle of the road or at the seller’s home. As with all private sales, ensure you confirm the seller’s identity and VIN are legitimate before you sign a contract to purchase. If you are buying a car sight-unseen, never agree to purchase a vehicle without seeing it. It’s not just best to take your potential car for a test drive purchasing it without seeing it could mean that the car may not be as pictured or, even worse, may not exist in any way. If the seller pressures you or entices you to make a quick purchase before you inspect the vehicle in person, it’s probably a scam. Request for wire transfer or gift card If the prospective seller asks for wire transfer in exchange for payment of the vehicle, leave. This is a typical tactic that scammers use to steal your money and offer no vehicle in return. The money you wired isn’t traceable and extremely difficult to trace. This means you could be left without a car , and there is no possibility of refund. Similar to scammers who want payment through wire transfer, some sellers may ask for gifts cards in exchange for payment. Beware, and walk away. Gift cards cannot be traced and indicate that the seller may be trying to fraud you. Title washing Title washing is an attempt to hide damage from an accident, or any other problems with the vehicle’s history. Even if you have to pay for it yourself make sure you get a car history report for the VIN. It’s not sure if it will provide you with all the details the car has experienced however it will assist you in avoiding falling victim to a scammer seeking to sell a risky vehicle. Fake escrow accounts While this scam can take place in two ways, be conscious of the need for a fake escrow account when you purchase a vehicle online. Using an escrow account is an authentic method of keeping both parties protected from scams. However, scammers may use a fake escrow account to convince you to deposit funds directly into the seller’s bank account. When it comes time to collect the car and transfer the title, the seller has stopped being accessible to contact and you’re left with no way to recover your money. Are online car purchases an ideal choice? If you choose to use an authentic service, buying a car online is the same as purchasing a car from an auto dealership. Even if you go with a private seller, do not allow the possibility of a scam happening deter you from buying. Being a well-informed consumer, you will have a lower chance of get duped and more likely to drive away happy with your vehicle purchase. Benefits of purchasing a car online If you know what are the most common scams and look up a reliable source, purchasing a car online can have its advantages. It is primarily about saving time. You don’t need to visit several dealerships and have to deal with physically browsing through inventory on a lot. Online shopping gives you unlimited shopping opportunities. Because you don’t have to limit yourself to what you can find at a dealership, you may be able to find a more precise match for your needs. There’s no pressure to sell because, after all, you’ll likely be browsing websites on your computer or phone and not exposing yourself to sales representatives from a professional. If you opt for something like Carvana or Vroom, you’ll have access to delivery across the country. There might be a small fee, but if you find the right car, it could be worth the cost. Drawbacks of online car buying In addition to scams, there are number of reasons why people choose traditional dealers. Big online dealers don’t mean that there is no negotiations. You can bargain with a private seller but you’ll be at risk of getting victimized by fraud. Lenders may not offer financing for private sales while you’re looking on the internet. Should they, then you could find that the rates are higher than those for a new or used vehicle loan. You may not be able to do an in-person inspection until after you meet with the seller or get the vehicle delivered. It could be even more difficult to have a mechanic inspect it when you are shopping on the internet. What to do if you’ve been scammed If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to an online fraud There are some actions you need to take. Make a formal complaint directly to the center for fraud. Call your local attorney general. Report the fraud to the FBI . Report the fraud to the . It may be difficult or impossible to obtain your refund if you transferred the money via wire transfer or transferred gift cards. However, keep track of your bank transactions when you have entered any data on an illegitimate website. If you notice any transactions, inform your bank to report the fraud and reset any usernames and passwords linked to the account. The bottom line: If the price of a car seems too appealing to be true, it probably is. The purchase of a car online could be a safe method to buy a secondhand vehicle. But you need to be aware of frauds that are common and trust your instincts. If you notice something that seems suspicious there’s a good chance it’s. In the end of the day, there’s plenty of used vehicles on the market. You are able to leave a deal and find another, more legitimate seller on reliable websites or go with a used car dealership. Learn more
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Written by Auto Loans Reporter
Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She specializes in assisting readers with the ins and outs of securely taking out loans to purchase a car.
Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor
Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are dedicated to helping readers gain confidence to control their finances with concise, well-researched, and clear data that cuts complex subjects into digestible pieces.
Auto loans editor
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