Unfortunately, scams are very common on Craigslist, so it is very important to be cautious when buying a car through this medium. Protect yourself from scams by evaluating each ad carefully before proceeding further. If it looks legitimate, evaluate the seller. If it seems reliable, evaluate the car if you want to buy it. Never put money in before you have seen the vehicle, as this is a common way people are scammed on Craigslist.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Identify Fraudulent Ads
Step 1. Beware of ads with very low or unusual prices
If the price is significantly lower than you expect, take that as a red flag. Check the Kelly Blue Book price for an approximate range of the actual price of a vehicle. If it is considerably lower, such as 25% or less, then it is likely a scam. A very specific price can also be a red flag, like $ 2347 or something similar.
If the seller suggests shipping the car for an additional fee or includes shipping in the sale price, it is likely a scam
Step 2. Check the list for many grammatical errors
If the description is misspelled and difficult to understand, a scammer may have written it. Avoid any advertisement with descriptions full of grammatical, spelling and similar errors.
For example, avoid ads that say something like "New sidan with additional driv plus."
tip- The newer the ad, the greater the chances that it is a scam. If you notice that the listing has been published a few minutes ago, avoid it, since it has not been there long enough for the moderators to mark it as a scam. Take another look if it continues after a few hours.
Step 3. Perform a reverse image search of the car photo
Copy the URL of the image and paste it into Google Image Search. You can also download the image, save it, and then drag and drop it into the search bar after clicking the camera button next to the search bar. Then review the results to determine if the same photo is posted elsewhere. If you find multiple ads with the same photo, it may be a scam.
When you do a reverse image search, you may discover that it is a stock photo and not a real one of a car for sale
Step 4. Copy and paste the description of the car in Google to detect duplicates
Put quotation marks around the description to find duplicate ads. Some scammers run multiple ads using the same keywords, so this is an easy way to discover fake ads.
You should also be careful if the words in the description are very similar to other ads. Look for other aspects of it for warning signs
Step 5. Compare the price of the car in the ad with the ad on the website
If the seller also has a website or Facebook page, make sure the prices listed are the same on both sites. If the price listed in one is lower, trade it from this, instead of negotiating from the highest.
For example, if a car is listed for $ 2,500 on the seller's Facebook page and $ 3,000 on the Craigslist post, you are trading starting at $ 2,500, not $ 3,000
Step 6. Email the seller if they don't include an address or phone number in the listing
The ad must clearly state where the vehicle is located and must provide the seller's phone number. If this data is not listed, take it as a warning sign. However, you can email the seller to provide an address and phone number. If he refuses to tell you where the vehicle is or to give you a phone number, it is very possible that it is a scam.
Another warning sign is a direction that does not make sense, such as "in the mountains of Playa del Carmen."
Method 2 of 3: Evaluate the seller
Step 1. Be very careful around salespeople who tell a sad story
Scammers often use sad stories to rush a sale, so be careful if one tells or mentions other circumstances unrelated to the car. For example, if he tells you that he has been laid off and needs the quick money to pay his bills, take that as a red flag. Here are other things to pay attention to:
- The person says he is about to be summoned and needs to sell the car in a hurry.
- The person claims that there are others interested in making the purchase, so they need an immediate decision.
- He calls you repeatedly to ask if you have made up your mind.
Step 2. Avoid salespeople who claim to be handling the sale on behalf of a third party
If the seller says they are dealing with the sale on behalf of a neighbor, elderly relative, or someone else, be careful. This is often a warning sign that could indicate that the car is stolen. You should always ask to see the title and identification of the seller to make sure the car belongs to the person selling it.
A salesperson could also claim that they have little knowledge of the vehicle under the veil of its history to justify their lack of clear answers to your questions
Step 3. Find any web page that the seller provides you to make the payment
The safest option is to pay the seller with cash, so be careful if they point you to a web page to make the payment. Sellers often provide a collateral web address to increase the buyer's sense of security, but this does not mean that it is not a scam. Please evaluate the site carefully to make sure it is legitimate.
Avoid sellers who claim they are associated with eBay or eBay Motors. This is a common scam and they might even send you emails and links to websites that appear to be from eBay
Step 4. Avoid illegal car dealers who suggest a meeting at their homes
This type of salesperson is someone who sells a car in front of your house. The person could be a salesperson with an actual lot of vehicles, but could take the vehicle home and park it outside to increase the perceived value of the vehicle. People tend to be less critical of vehicles sold by their previous owners, especially if the seller lives in a nice neighborhood.
If you decide to check the car at someone's house, take a friend or family member with you. If you don't know much about cars, bring someone who knows about it
Step 5. Call the seller to assess their knowledge and professionalism
Talking to a salesperson on the phone is a good way to get a feel for their personality and ask more questions about the vehicle. Ask him about the condition of the car, any problems he has, and request a test drive if he is interested.
As a bonus, some sellers will also be willing to lower the price further if they perceive that you are a serious buyer
Warning- Scammers often disconnect their phones after the victim makes the payment. Therefore, just because you have their number does not mean that the seller is trustworthy. Evaluate other factors in addition to the impression it made on you.
Step 6. Meet the seller in a public place to complete the final transaction
If you decide to buy a car from a Craigslist seller, it's best to pay in person and in cash. Request a meeting in a public place or at a bank to make sure you have witnesses, in case the person wants to rob you.
Never pay via wire transfer or Western Union, as this is a common scam tactic
Method 3 of 3: Evaluate the Vehicle
Step 1. Don't pay for a car you haven't seen
If you haven't seen the car yet, it may not exist. Limit yourself to vehicles that are close to you so that you can take a look at them. Avoid those who are in another state or country, and even those who are a few hours away. Buy only through local sellers to be able to go to them, in case the car has a problem.
Be very wary of sellers who say they will ship the vehicle to you
Step 2. Compare the number on the odometer with other usage-related characteristics
The average person drives 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) per year in a vehicle. So if a car is three years old, the odometer may read 40,000 miles (64,000 kilometers). If the car is many miles shorter, the dealer may have tampered with the odometer. Evaluate the appearance of the interior and the condition of the tires. If they are badly worn, the odometer reading may not be correct.
Keep in mind that older people and teens typically drive around 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometers) per year, which could justify low mileage. Ask questions about the previous owners if the mileage is too low
Step 3. Search the car's history through the vehicle identification number
Scammers could provide you with a falsified report that omits important details from the vehicle's history. Don't accept a report from the seller. Instead, look up the history using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can enter this number on sites like Carfax and get a full report.
Be careful with cars that have suffered constant accidents or problems
Warning- Never access a car history report with a special web address provided by the seller. Often times this is a scam so you think you are getting the real report.
Step 4. Request a longer test drive if the seller rushes you
Scammers will often not allow potential buyers to take the car for a long test drive, as this could reveal potential vehicle problems. If the seller tries to rush the test drive, tell them that you want to drive a little longer and in different conditions to see how they respond. If he refuses or tries to convince you that it is not necessary, do not buy the car.
During the test drive, drive at low and high speeds, observe how the brakes and turns respond, and pay attention to any unusual sounds
Step 5. Have your mechanic inspect the car before you buy it
Unless you are an expert on the subject, it can be difficult to spot problems with a car. Take a friend with you who knows a lot about the subject, or ask the salesperson to meet you at your mechanic's shop to check it out for potential major issues.