Avoiding Scams

Attention; all types of buyers & sellers, particularly those in the market for used vehicles, have flocked to the Internet to search for that "killer" deal on "For Sale" classic cars.

Check-out www.ccmostwanted.com/topics/sc/scams.htm they have a good data base on recent and old scams.

Here are some of the most common scams found on the Web.

Certified Check Scams - This scam is often perpetrated on sellers of cars or related items over the Internet thorough classified ads and auctions. A buyer indicates that he wants to buy the item and pay with a cashier check. At the last minute, the buyer creates a reason why he needs to write the check for more money and have the seller wire him the difference. The check turns out to be a fake, but it is often discovered long after the seller has wired the money. In addition, the seller is responsible for covering the money for the fake check. To avoid check scams, call the issuing bank before you accept the check and wait for the check to clear before you transfer anything to the seller.

A true buyer is not going to send you a check or wire for more money than the agreed selling price, does that even sound right to you? BEWARE: IF SOMETHING IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT USUALLY IS.

Your Bank will pursue recovery from you by any and all legal measures available to them in the collection of this debt

Bogus Escrow Services - Online vehicle sellers often use escrow services, which collect and verify payment from a buyer. The money is held by the service until all parties are satisfied with the sale. There have been some instances of phony escrow services operating on the Internet.

The best way to avoid most scams is to make sure you never transfer anything to a buyer until you have the cash in your"hand. That means, you either get cash from the buyer or wait for the cashier check to clear. Avoid buyers who will never meet you or never wish to see your items in person (overseas). Avoid taking personal checks and allowing buyers to pay your items off over time.

If buying, always verify the seller actually has/owns the item for sale and meet them face-to-face to view the items. If you follow these few precautions, your buying and selling experience should go smoothly. Legitimate sales happen every day on the Online Collector Car Trader web site as well as other Classified Ad sites. Unfortunately there are SCAM artists that travel throughout all websites hoping to find an unsuspecting seller or buyer. These are the same guys with the same Scams that you may find locally when advertising in your local newspaper. The internet is a new market opportunity for them. The good news is that these guys are very easy to distinguish. You just need to be wise to their schemes.

 

Warning:

We found an Ad on our website which turned out to be a scam; after we investigated all information, we have since pulled the Ad from our website.Here was the Ad and the contact information;

The following AD:was a scam:
Here is absolutely gorgeous, big block 1969 Camaro SS 396ci 375hp in excellent condition inside and out. This Camaro is one bad ass car and has been totally restored from ground up with all new parts.This little beauty is really a Camaro on steroids with a fully built 396ci 375hp motor, Turbo 400 Transmission, 12 Bolt Posi rear end and many other high performance modifications. It is loaded with many factory options and painted beautiful Rallye Green. This Camaro has one very aggressive look and is also restored with tons of attention to detail!"

Price $5000.00
E-mail the Seller
Mileage 0
VIN # 124379L506709
Color
Interior
Engine

Seller Contact Information
Name Paul Holley
Daytime Phone 449-708-6301
Evening Phone
City/State Seattle, WA

Another example of Fraud you may encounter:
This was given to us buy one of our customers; this is the actual email. The person recognized this to be a possible scam and discontinued the contact.

"steven_morgan02@yahoo.com" <steven_morgan02@yahoo.com> wrote: (SCAMMER)
Hello
Wondering if you still have your car available for sale..if yes,kindly get back to me with last asking price,present condition,and recent picture as soon as possible..

Many thanks
Steve Morgan.

"Our Customer's" response:
Yes, I still have the truck. It is a recent three year frame-off restoration. Every nut and bolt has been replaced, the body was completely disassembled and taken down to the bare metal. There is absolutely no rust anywhere and the paint is flawless. The engine was professionally built by Wilkerson Racing, it has a 350 turbo auto transmission, vintage air, tilt column. I have over $13K just in the engine and paint alone, and it has been driven less than 500 since the truck was completed. This past Fall I entered the truck in a local car show with 117 entries and it won top 10 in show and I missed the "people's choice" award by one vote. Anyway, the truck is flawless and ready to go! The asking price is $35,000 but I will entertain a reasonable offer.

"steven_morgan02@yahoo.com" <steven_morgan02@yahoo.com> wrote: (SCAMMER)
$33,000 is my offer if you are okay with this kindly get back to me as soon as possible.
Hope to hear from you today.
Sincerely,
Steven Morgan.

"Our Customer's" response:
I would be comfortable with that offer!! What part of the country do you reside? Is it possible for you to come to #######, Alabama and take a look? The truck is all that I said but I'd sure feel more comfortable if you inspected it personally. Haggerty Insurance insisted that I have the truck appraised by an official appraiser - which I did. It appraised for $42,000, the amount that I have it insured for. I have the documentation of the appraisal for your inspection as well as you can talk to the appraiser if you'd like. Why don't you give me a call at: ######### or my cell at #########. If I'm not available, leave me a message and I'll get back with you asap.

"steven_morgan02@yahoo.com" <steven_morgan02@yahoo.com> wrote: (SCAMMER)
Hello ,
Thanks so much for your fast response,i really appreciate it.....So regarding the payment and pickup arrangement Certified cheque will be issued in your name include the money for the sales of your item + the shipping cost.I would like to restate clearly that this item will be shipped and I have a shipping agent who would take good care of this. You are to cash the Check you will recieve and deduct the funds for the sales of your item and please have the excess funds sent to the shipping agent in order to schedule the pick up of the item. All neccesary transfer papers will be dully signed by the shipper on behalf of my client when the shipping agents comes for the pick up of the item. I will be willing to entertain more of your questions that might arise, please provide your CONTACT NAME,ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER so that I can have it forwarded to my client for immediate payment issuance.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Steven Morgan.

The saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is not true."

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