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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 better financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators that provide objective and original content, by enabling users to conduct research and compare data for free - so that you can make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn Money The deals that are displayed on this site come from companies that compensate us. This compensation could affect how and when products are featured on the site, such as for instance, the order in which they appear within the listing categories and other categories, unless prohibited by law. This applies to our mortgage or home equity products, as well as other home lending products. But this compensation does affect the information we provide, or the reviews you see on this site. We do not contain the vast array of companies or financial offerings that could be open to you.



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5 min 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 has a specialization in helping readers to navigate the details of using loans to buy an automobile.







Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are enthusiastic about helping readers gain confidence to take control of their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that dissects complex topics into manageable bites.









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Buying a car online from the convenience of your home just a couple of clicks has its perks but also comes with some risks. Like the majority of the internet frauds have made their way into the online world. Beware of the common scams so you don't lose money when you purchase the latest car. Most common scams when buying a car online The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) provides guidelines for online vehicle sales, but there are some commonly-spread scams to be on the lookout for when . Identity theft Some scammers are not only looking to scam you out of funds, but also for your personal details. They'll ask for details such as the details of your Social Security number, birthdate or banking numbers. Don't share your personal information with potential buyers, excluding your name and phone number. If you do apply for a position the position, make sure it's legal, legitimate, and has good reviews. In other cases, it might be preferential to make an application outside the dealership- or go somewhere you can verify whether the vendor is above board. fake ads If you're seeking an auction there are ads that do not include the VIN or vehicle identification number. If you're not able to verify that the car exists -- in other words, you can see it personally and verify that the VIN is correct -- don't send money. It's not unusual for scammers to present a vehicle in an advertisement but not have the vehicle. And even if the vehicle exists, make sure it is not classified as stolen and it is clean on its history report. Curbstoning This scam is where a dealer claims to be a private seller in order to sell the vehicle in violation with normal dealer regulations -- meaning it has a salvaged title or is damaged. A salvaged title will create major problems when it comes to insuring the vehicle. Avoid this scam by staying away from vehicles sold online from empty lots, on the side of the road or at the seller's home. Like any private sale, make sure you check the seller's identity and VIN are genuine before you agree to buy. If you are buying a car sight-unseen, never agree to buy a car without seeing it. It's not just best to take your car for a test drive purchase it sight unseen, but it could mean that the car may not be as pictured or, even worse, may not exists at all. If the seller pressures you or entices you to complete a fast purchase before you see the car in person, it's likely to be a scam. Request for wire transfer or gift card If the prospective seller demands an electronic transfer to make the payment of the vehicle, leave. This is a typical method used by scammers to steal your money and offer no return vehicle. The money you wired isn't traceable and is very difficult to retrieve. This means you could end up with no car , and there is no possibility of reimbursement. Similar to scammers that want to make payments via wire transfer, a few sellers will ask for gift cards for the payment. Don't be fooled. Gift cards are not traceable and mean the seller is likely attempting to make money off you. Title washing Title washing is a method to hide damage from the wreck or other issues with the vehicle's past. Even if you have to pay for it, always get a vehicle history report for the VIN. This isn't guaranteed to show you everything the car has gone through however it will help you avoid falling prey 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 secure from fraud. However, scammers may use fraudulent escrow accounts to convince you to deposit funds directly into the seller's account. When it's time to collect the car and to transfer the title the seller is no longer accessible to contact and you're left with no way to get your money back. Is online car buying an ideal choice? If you go through an authentic service, buying a car on the internet is just as safe as a dealership. If you choose to go with an individual seller, don't let the chance of scams happening discourage you from buying. Being a well-informed consumer You'll more likely not get duped and more likely to walk away satisfied with the purchase of your car. Benefits of online car buying If you are aware of the scams to look out for and look up a reliable source, buying a vehicle online has its benefits. It is primarily about saving time. It isn't necessary to visit multiple dealerships and deal with physically browsing inventory on a lot. Buying online means unlimited possibilities for shopping. Since you aren't limited to the selection in a store it is possible to find a more exact suitable match to your needs. There's no sales pressure -- after all, you'll likely be browsing websites on your smartphone or laptop, not subjecting yourself to professional salespeople. If you opt for something similar to Carvana or Vroom, you'll have access to national delivery. There could be a modest charge, but if get the right car it may be worth it. There are some disadvantages to buying cars online. Apart from the scams, there are few reasons people still choose traditional dealers: Big online dealers do not allow for negotiations. It is possible to negotiate with a private seller however, you run the risk of being victimized by fraud. The lenders may not be able to offer financing for private sales when you search online. In the event that they offer it, you could be surprised to find the costs are higher than an used or new vehicle loan. It is possible that you won't be able to conduct an inspection in person until you meet with the seller , or get the vehicle delivered. It could be even more difficult to have a mechanic inspect it when you shop online. What do you do if been scammed If you think you've been a victim of an online scam, there are a few steps you should do. File a complaint directly with the fraud center. Get in touch with your attorney general of the state. Report the fraud to the FBI . The FBI will report the fraud to the . It could become difficult, or even impossible, to receive your money back if you sent it through a wire transfer or transferred gift cards. However, keep track of the transactions you made with your bank in the event that you have entered information on a fraudulent website. If you spot any suspicious activities, notify your bank regarding the fraudulent activity and reset any usernames and passwords associated with the account. The bottom line: If you think a deal on a car is too amazing to be real It's probably true. A car purchase online can be a perfectly safe way to get a used vehicle. But , keep an eye on frauds that are common and trust your gut. If you notice something that seems suspicious then it's probably. In the end of the day, there are plenty of used cars available on the market. You can always leave a deal and find another, more trustworthy seller through trustworthy websites, or just opt for an used car dealer. Find out more


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Written by Auto Loans Reporter

Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She specializes in assisting readers to navigate the ins and outs of securely borrowing money to purchase an automobile.



Editor: 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 confidence to control their finances by providing precise, well-researched and well-written data that cuts otherwise complicated topics into bite-sized pieces.






Auto loans editor




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