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How to avoid online car buying scams Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our aim is to assist you make better financial choices by offering you interactive financial calculators and tools as well as publishing unique and impartial content. This allows users to conduct research and compare information at no cost to help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers, including but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The offers that appear on this site come from companies that pay us. This compensation can affect the way and where products appear on this website, for example for instance, the order in which they may be listed within the categories of listing in the event that they are not permitted by law for our mortgage home equity, mortgage and other home loan products. However, this compensation will have no impact on the information we publish, or the reviews you read on this site. We do not cover the vast array of companies or financial deals that could be open to you.



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5 min read Published October 13, 2022
Writen by Rebecca Betterton Written by Auto Loans Reporter

Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She has a specialization in helping readers with the ways and pitfalls of taking out loans to purchase an automobile.







Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that break down complicated topics into bite-sized pieces.









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Buying a car online from the comfort of your living room just a couple of clicks can be a good thing however, it comes with some risks. Like the majority of the online world, scams have crept into the space. Beware of the common scams to avoid losing money in the process of getting the latest car. Common online car buying scams The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has for online car sales --but there are several commonly-spread scams to be on the lookout for when . Identity theft Some scammers are not only looking to swindle you out of your money but also looking for your personal details. They'll ask for details such as the details of your Social Security number, birthdate or bank account numbers. Don't share your personal information with potential buyers, excluding your name and number. If you are applying for a job , ensure that it is legal, legitimate, and has positive reviews. In other cases, it might be better to apply for a outside of the dealershipor visit a place where you can confirm you are legitimate. False advertisements When seeking an auction, you may see advertisements that don't list the VIN or the number that identifies the vehicle. If you're not able to verify the authenticity of the vehicle is actually present -- that is, you can see the vehicle in person, and confirm you are sure that the VIN is correct Don't pay. It's not unusual for scammers to show vehicles in ads without having the vehicle. Even if the car exists, make sure it's not listed as stolen and that it is clean on its history report. The scam of "curbstoning" occurs when a dealer pretends to be private sellers with the intention of selling an unconformity-related vehicle with normal dealer rules -- meaning it has a salvaged title or is otherwise damaged. A salvaged title can create major problems when it concerns insuring the vehicle. It is possible to avoid this scam by staying clear from vehicles sold online from vacant lot in the middle of the road, or at the home of the seller. Like any private sale, make sure you verify whether the seller and VIN are legitimate before you agree to buy. Buying sight unseen Never agree to buy a car without having seen it. It's not just best to take your potential car for a test drive purchase it sight unseen, but it could mean that the car may not look like the pictures or worse -- not exists in any way. If the seller rushes you or asks you to make a quick purchase before you see the car in person, it is likely to be a scam. Demand a wire transfer or gift card If the potential seller asks for a wire transfer for the vehicle payment, walk away. This is a typical method used by scammers to take your money , but with no guarantee of a vehicle. Wired money isn't trackable and very difficult to recover. This means you could end up with no car and no potential refund. Similar to scammers that want to make payments via wire transfer, a few sellers will request gifts cards in exchange for payment. Beware, and walk away. Gift cards cannot be traced and indicate that the seller is likely attempting to fraud you. Title washing Title washing is a strategy to conceal damage caused by the wreck or other problems with the vehicle's past. Even if you have to pay for it, always get a vehicle history report on the VIN. This isn't guaranteed to show you everything the car has experienced however it will help you avoid falling prey to scammers seeking to sell a risky car. Fake escrow accounts While this scam can take place in two ways, it is important to be aware of the possibility of using fraudulent escrow accounts when purchasing a car on the internet. Escrow accounts are a legitimate way to keep both parties protected from fraud. However, scammers may use an escrow account that is fake to convince you to deposit funds directly into the seller's bank account. When the time comes to collect the car and transfer the title the seller is no longer in contact with you and you're stuck with no option to get your money back. Do you think online car purchasing is an excellent idea? If you go through an authentic service, buying a car on the internet is the same as purchasing a car from the dealership. Even if you use an individual seller, don't be a victim of a scam happening deter you. By being an informed consumer you'll more likely not be scammed and more likely to leave content with your purchase. Benefits of buying a car online If you know what are the most common scams and you are able to find a legitimate source, buying a vehicle online can have its advantages. It is primarily about saving time. You don't need to go to several dealerships and have to deal with physically searching inventory on numerous occasions. Buying online means unlimited possibilities for shopping. Since you aren't limited to what you can find at a dealership it is possible to find a more exact suitable match to your needs. There's no pressure to sell because, in the end, you'll be scrolling through websites on your computer or phone without having to deal with professional salespeople. If you decide to purchase something like Carvana or Vroom, you'll have access to national delivery. There may be a small fee, but if you locate the perfect car, it could be worth the cost. There are some disadvantages to buying cars online. Apart from the scams, there are number of reasons why people choose traditional dealers. Big online sites don't mean that there is no negotiation. It is possible to deal with private sellers but you'll be at risk of getting caught in fraud. Lenders may not offer financing for private sales when you are looking online. In the event that they offer it, you could be surprised to find the costs are higher than with a new or used vehicle loan. You might not be able to conduct an in-person inspection until you meet with the seller or have the car delivered. And it may be harder to have a mechanic inspect the car when you buy it online. What should you do if you've been victimized If you believe you have fallen victim to an online fraud There are some steps to take. Make a formal complaint directly to the fraud center. Call your local attorney general. File with the FBI's . Report the fraud to the . It may take a long time or be impossible receive your refund if you transferred the money via wire transfer or handed over gift cards. But, be aware of your bank activity when you have entered any data on a fraudulent website. If you spot any suspicious activities, notify your bank regarding the fraudulent activity and reset any usernames or passwords linked to the account. The bottom line If a car deal sounds too amazing to be real It's probably true. A car purchase online can be a perfectly safe way to purchase a second-hand car. But , be aware of frauds that are common and trust your instincts. If you notice something that seems suspicious then it's probably. At time's end, there's a lot of used cars on the market. You are able to leave a deal and locate a different, authentic seller via trustworthy websites, or simply go to the 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 in navigating the ways and pitfalls of taking out loans to purchase an automobile.



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 take control of their finances through providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down complex topics into manageable bites.






Auto loans editor




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