How do I know if I am being scammed buying a car online?

Question

I seem to find these unusually great deals for cars in other states. They all claim I can buy the car using the ebay protection program, but it is still so sketchy. I think I might want to just sticking with buying cars I can go test drive myself, but for future reference, how will I know if it is legit?

Answer 1

If you are buying a car online, you are being scammed. PERIOD.  You can search for cars online, you can compare them and price them, but you can not purchase a car online without a high probability that you are being scammed.

When it comes time to hand over the money, do it face to face or don't do it at all.  

Answer 2

Google the dealer and see if anyone out there has had a bad experience.

Also search on sites like:

http://www.scambusters.org/

http://www.snopes.com/

Answer 3

Ask yourself one question ? Is the price for the car too good to be true! Do your research. Their should not be that much of difference between one state and another on the price of a car. Then you have the registration and taxes that need to be paid in the state you live in.  

Answer 4

Scam or not, why would you buy a car without test driving it?

Answer 5

THIS IS A HUGE SCAM - stop corresponding - this will never happen

Let me see here

She is out of the country, but needs to sell the car right away. You will deposit the money with an escrow service (fake) and she will ship the car. Heck, she'll even pay for shipping right? Once it gets there, you will have 5 days to inspect it. If you are happy, notify the "escrow service" and they release the funds to her. If not, refuse the car and get all your money back. She is so sure you will like it, she is willing to pay for return shipping if you refuse the car.

Its a scam - its been here a hundred times. Avoid it and buy a car you can see, feel, drive and inspect first.

here is someone who got taken in - do not put yourself in that position

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Here is another

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 6

that is a SCAM. we have a local buy/sell site here that we check for cars everyday, cus we are looking to buy a truck. and i cant tell you how many of them scams  i have came across. they always lie and say they are in your area, when they  are not.then when you inquire they say they  are just finished a divorce,and want to get rid of the car, it is  in a shipping company in ....and they can ony sell through ebay due to insurance.and you can keep the car for 5 days to try it.i have replied to at least 10 cars that i thought were great deals,just to get the exact same response from them all.so in my eyes because the response is the same, it is a scam.it is also the same for boxer puppies,telling you they just moved and need to get rid of the dog and now they are living in camaroon.so buy beware.

Answer 7

there are certain rules to know if its legit or not, and pictures and VIN numbers aren't relevant in this case.

1. IF YOU EVEN have to question that its a scam, its a scam. Legit sellers have information outright. The car is right here, its avaliable at the spot, and you pay it DIRECTLY to them. No money transfers, etc etc etc.

2. If they ask you to wire them money through western union, paypal, ebay, or any other escrow service, than its a scam. They do it online so they can get your money, and go. Just think: why would E-Bay deal  with a sale that isn't theres?

3. IF the car involves shipping, its a fraud. If you cant see the car in front of you, or if they avoid it, its a fraud. A common fraud is that they moved or joined the army, and asre selling it for a really cheap price. If they were in a rush, they would simply sell it to a car dealership for fair market value, no?

Answer 8

there is no way of really knowing.  some will be and some won't.  either way you're taking a chance.

Answer 9

Common scam --- Ebay doesnt offer a protection plan unless its bought thru ebay.... If its not on an ebay auction theres no buyer protection plan.....

Answer 10

If you think it's a scam, assume it is.

Really, how do you get hurt that way?

Answer 11

First - Where are you finding these cars on line?  

Before buying an car sight unseen, I recommend using an Inspection service such as: http://www.automobileinspections.com/   They will (for a fee) go to the vehicle inspect it, and report back.   This is a great way to make sure things are legit.

You mentioned they are offering the eBay protection program.

Are you finding these cars on eBay?  If so the simplest way to find out if they are legit is to look at the dealer feedback.  If it almost all positive, then you are probably safe.

Make sure though, is it a dealership selling?    They could have 1,000 positive feedback,  but if that 1,000 feedback comes from selling office supplies then you should be a little more wary.  See the vehicle in person first, or use an inspection service.  Only buy from a legitimate dealer online sight unseen.

If you found the car on Craigslist, you need to see the car first or use a buyers inspection service.  Again, if it is a dealership that you can verify that is better but still some risk.

In Summary you can eliminate most of this sight unseen risk by doing the following:

#1. Buy from a dealership, not a private individual.   You can verify them as a real business, with a brick and mortar location fairly easily.  

#2. Use an inspection service, it's worth your peace of mind.

#3. Make sure the car has some kind of factory warranty remaining, if you are buying a car sight unseen and not using an inspection service.   With remaining factory warranty, if the vehicle has some kind of problem when you get it you can take it to your hometown dealer and they will fix it for free.

#4. Get the VIN# of the car,  goto www.carfax.com or www.autocheck.com and get a report.  (Autocheck is better in my opinion, it will uncover more incidents)

#5. Demand lots of pictures.  Most people will post 6-12 pictures online. Demand atleast 30 or 40.  You need to see every nook and cranny of the car.

#6. If you don't see ANY damage or scratches in the pictures they send you.  Unless this is a brand new car,  move on.   A legitimate seller will highlight every issue in photos and not try to hide them from you.

#7 If anything "overseas" or out of the country is ever mentioned.. stop, and move on to another car.  

#8If there is ever any talk of you paying extra to cover the shipping but that they will pay you back, avoid it - it's a scam.

#9  If they ask for strange payment methods (western union for instance) or ask you to send a money order or cash without knowing who this person is.  I can't stress buying from dealerships enough if you are dealing with someone you will never meet.