How to Spot Common Used-Car Listing Scams
· 5 min read
Most sellers are ordinary people trying to get a fair price. A small number are trying to take your money. The scams repeat the same few patterns, and once you know them they are easy to spot.
The price is too good
If a car is listed far below what similar cars sell for, ask why. Sometimes there is a real reason, such as a salvage title or a seller in a hurry. Often the price is bait. A story like "my husband passed away and I need to sell" or "I'm being deployed" attached to a cheap price is a common script.
The seller cannot meet
If the seller is out of town, out of the country or "working with a shipping company," do not pay. Legitimate sellers can show you the car. A scam asks for a deposit to "hold" it and the car does not exist.
Fake escrow and shipping sites
Be wary of anyone who insists on a specific "escrow" or "vehicle protection" service, especially one they send you a link to. These sites can be fakes built to collect your payment. Real transactions between local parties do not need them.
Overpayment and fake checks
If you are selling, a buyer may send a check or payment for more than the asking price and ask you to refund the difference. The original payment turns out to be fake after you have sent real money. Do not accept payment you cannot verify, and never return "extra."
Payment methods that cannot be reversed
Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto and some payment apps are favorite scam tools because the money is hard to recover. If someone wants payment this way for a car, walk away.
Verification code scams
Someone asks for a code sent to your phone to "verify" you are real. That code often gives them access to one of your accounts. Do not share verification codes with a buyer or seller.
Cloned or copied listings
Scammers copy photos and text from real listings. A reverse image search on the photos can show whether they appear elsewhere under a different name. Check that the VIN matches the car, and that the seller is the owner on the title.
Title problems
A seller who says the title is lost, still with a bank, or in someone else's name is not necessarily a scammer, but is a risk. Do not pay until you can see a valid title that matches the seller. Read our title guide.
Curbstoners
Some people buy cars at auction and resell them as if they were private owners, sometimes without disclosing accident or title history. Ask how long they have owned the car and ask to see the title. If the name on the title is not theirs, it may be a flip.
What to do
- Meet in person in a public place, and see the car and title before paying.
- Take your time. Pressure is a warning sign.
- Use the "Report this listing" link on Sac Auto List if something looks off.
More on staying safe is on our safety page.