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Safety Tips for Buying Vehicles Online
* *There are many vehicles for sale online through many different listing platforms. Autotrader, eBay, Gumtree, motors.co.uk, Parkers, Pistonheads to name only a few. There are also an ever increasing number of vehicles being offered for sale FRAUDULENTLY! If you fall victim to one of these scams it is extremely unlikely you will ever see your hard earned money again!
Victims are losing £1000′s each day netting the fraudsters £millions, in many cases to fund other crimes such as drug trafficing, human trafficing or terrorism.
DON’T LET YOURSELF BE THE NEXT VICTIM.
Never be afraid to walk away from a sale, you will always have the opportunity to find another vehicle that has been listed genuinely, even if it costs a little more at least you will know it is genuine.
Here are some of the main things to check when looking/buying online.
- Check the website you are viewing is genuine.
- Ask the seller questions
- Check Vehicle Details and status reports.
- Ask for copies of Documentation.
- Check the car’s value – if it’s too cheap – WALK AWAY
- Delivery – have they ‘just moved abroad’, using a shipping company ??
- Holding accounts – ebay DO NOT OFFER Holding Accounts.
- NEVER, EVER pay by bank transfer or wire transfer.
- GO TO SEE/TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE
- Check the website you are viewing is genuine.
There are an ever increasing number of copycat or clone sites that look and function the same as the genuine one. Many browsers now have a symbol that verifies the site is genuine
using a symbol besides the web address.
- Do not always rely on the sellers feedback.
Most popular online sales sites have a feedback facility which gives you a good indication of the seller’s history. However, many seller accounts have been “hacked” via phishing emails and is not always a guarantee the vehicle listing is genuine. Many sellers are unaware that their account is being used to sell fraudulently.
- Ask the seller questions
Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions about any aspect of the vehicle you are buying and always ask if the vehicle is available to view before agreeing to buy. Ask for a test drive, if the seller is
reluctant to answer questions, gives vague answers, tells you they are “selling it for a friend” or refuses to let you view or test drive, then it is probably a scam!
- Vehicle Details and status reports.
Just because the registration number you search on a HPI, or similar, check comes back as clear do not assume this is an indication the seller is genuine. ALL fraudulent listings are copied from previous genuine sales by copying photos and details, the status may not come back as stolen or written off but the vehicle is not the fraudsters to sell in the first place!
- Documentation.
If the seller is genuine then they will be able to send you a scan of the documents, also ask for a specific photograph to be taken of something that is not included in the listing. For example a picture of the seller
stood by the car number plate as proof they have the vehicle.
- Check the car’s value.
Always check the car’s usual sale value, remember the saying”If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!”
- Delivery
If the seller tells you that they are abroad or in a location difficult to access or that the vehicle is in storage or held by a shipping company and will be delivered to you after payment has been made, walk away, it is more than likely a scam!
- Holding accounts
If the seller tells you that the money paid will be kept safe in a holding account, eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection Programme or similar account, it is a scam. eBay do not offer these schemes for vehicles.
- Never ever pay by bank transfer or wire transfer.
If you need to leave a deposit, pay by means that offer you fraud protection such as credit card, certain debit cards, WorldPay or Paypal. Before paying check the payment method will offer you protection if things go wrong.
- GO TO SEE/TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE
The most important piece of advice above all others is to go see the vehicle in person, meet the seller, check all documents and satisfy yourself the seller and vehicle is genuine. If the seller will not allow you, it is 100% a scam, walk away.
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