Online shopping for vehicles can be an excellent thing and a great way to score a great deal. However, one needs to be careful, as there are a large number of used car cons going on.
Increasing amount of used car frauds
No matter what commodity might be involved, the presence of cash implies that numerous criminals are going to show up, trying to swindle whoever falls for their scam. Crooks are typically a minority, except for Wall Street and Washington, D.C., where crooks are the rule, rather than the exception.
Part of the Department of Justice is the Internet Crime Complaint Center. It noted that $8.3 million was lost in 2011 to 4,066 instances of used car frauds on the internet. According to the Chicago Tribune, there were 14,000 similar instances complained of between 2008 and 2010 to the ICCC. USA Today points out that online car scams have been on the rise with the internet making it so easy. It is very common to see these cons on Craigslist and eBay.
Victims have lost $4.9 million already this year according to ICCC grievances. There have been 1,685 complaints so far.
Watch out for internet scams
Occasionally, used car dealers will use shady tricks such as the "the auto approval fell through" scam or attempting to sell you a car that is totally wrecked. Most car dealers in Everett, WA to Florida are honest though, so you do not have to be too worried. Online cons are not likely that though.
It is really tough to prove an online scam, and they are different. Generally, the car just never shows up after you pay an upfront, online payment to the person. If you see the car online and say you would like to buy it without seeing it, you need to be very careful.
Watch out
Usually, the scam will post a bad story about why they are selling the car, including divorce much of the time, according to USA Today. Then, the buyer will be emotionally manipulated into purchasing the car. Rushing a transaction is generally a scam of some sort.
Bankrate.com claims to look at for costs that are too good to be true, but be careful, as, according to USA Today, scam artists will quote prices that are very low, but not outlandishly so. Late-model luxury car models are commonly used in cons, according to Daily Finance.
Another common red flag is for a seller asking for the money to be wired via Western Union or if the seller asks for the cash to be put on a prepaid debit card. Everyone who cannot be bothered to offer a test drive or to meet with a buyer is also likely running a scam. Do not respond to emails saying how you've just won a free car in an auction.
Increasing amount of used car frauds
No matter what commodity might be involved, the presence of cash implies that numerous criminals are going to show up, trying to swindle whoever falls for their scam. Crooks are typically a minority, except for Wall Street and Washington, D.C., where crooks are the rule, rather than the exception.
Part of the Department of Justice is the Internet Crime Complaint Center. It noted that $8.3 million was lost in 2011 to 4,066 instances of used car frauds on the internet. According to the Chicago Tribune, there were 14,000 similar instances complained of between 2008 and 2010 to the ICCC. USA Today points out that online car scams have been on the rise with the internet making it so easy. It is very common to see these cons on Craigslist and eBay.
Victims have lost $4.9 million already this year according to ICCC grievances. There have been 1,685 complaints so far.
Watch out for internet scams
Occasionally, used car dealers will use shady tricks such as the "the auto approval fell through" scam or attempting to sell you a car that is totally wrecked. Most car dealers in Everett, WA to Florida are honest though, so you do not have to be too worried. Online cons are not likely that though.
It is really tough to prove an online scam, and they are different. Generally, the car just never shows up after you pay an upfront, online payment to the person. If you see the car online and say you would like to buy it without seeing it, you need to be very careful.
Watch out
Usually, the scam will post a bad story about why they are selling the car, including divorce much of the time, according to USA Today. Then, the buyer will be emotionally manipulated into purchasing the car. Rushing a transaction is generally a scam of some sort.
Bankrate.com claims to look at for costs that are too good to be true, but be careful, as, according to USA Today, scam artists will quote prices that are very low, but not outlandishly so. Late-model luxury car models are commonly used in cons, according to Daily Finance.
Another common red flag is for a seller asking for the money to be wired via Western Union or if the seller asks for the cash to be put on a prepaid debit card. Everyone who cannot be bothered to offer a test drive or to meet with a buyer is also likely running a scam. Do not respond to emails saying how you've just won a free car in an auction.
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