Used Car Listings Online: 3 Ways To Tell If The Listing Is Legitimate

You always hear that online classified websites, like Craigslist.org, are home to scams. After all, it is all over the internet and the occasional scam story will pop-up on the local news. Personally, I had never encountered a scammer before used car sales Austin. That was until I went to purchase a used minivan. From my own personal experience, here are 5 easy ways to tell if the new or used car listing is a scam.

Used Car Scam Sign #1: Email Only

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of online sellers who prefer to deal with interested buyers via email. It is different to arrange the purchase of a $25 wood desk via email than it is to arrange the purchase of a $5,000 used car.

After reviewing close to 100 mini-van listings online, only two so-called sellers did not post a phone number. They insisted on being contacted via email only. Guess what? They were the scammers!

Used Car Scam Sign #2: Was Your Email Even Read?

We not only needed a used minivan, but it had to be a specific length. Working in construction, a full piece of sheetrock had to fit in the back. Of course, I mentioned this in each email. It was the ONE question asked. Both of my scammers responded to my email with instructions on how to do a wire transfer and then mentioned the vehicles would be delivered to my house via tow in X amount of days. My one, must-have question wasn't answered.

Speaking of which, a wire transfer or bank transfer of any kind is typically another sign of a scam. As is the "I am on vacation this week and I won't be back for a few weeks, but if you pay me I'll setup deliver with a local towing company."

Used Car Scam Sign #3: Google Search the Email

After receiving email responses from these two "sellers" I knew that I was dealing with scammers. Out of curiosity, I plugged one of the email addresses into a Google search. That email address pulled up 25 of the exact same minivan listings on Craigslist that were posted in different cites (ie Syracuse, NY, Kansas City, MO, Austin, TX, and so forth).

If your Google search shows that the provided email address is attached to similar listings online but throughout the country, you are dealing with a scammer.

I had actually produced a list of 5 signs that a for sale car listing isn't legitimate. These additional suggestions include asking for a specific picture of the vehicle (mileage) or asking to schedule a showing within 24 hours. It rarely needs to get this far. Luckily, most online car scammers aren't actually good at the scamming part. As long as you use your best judgment and common sense, you should never fall victim to a car scam.