Complete guide to avoiding fraud on private vehicle sales ad sites

Introduction

Personal to private vehicle sales ad sites, autoscout24 or the central office, make it easier to buy and sell cars without going through dealerships. However, they are also prime targets for fraudsters.
Here is a detailed study of the types of fraud common on these platforms and recommendations for avoiding them.

Types of fraud on vehicle sales ad sites

1. Fraudulent ads

• Description: Scammers post ads for vehicles that don't exist or don't belong to them.
• Symptoms: extremely low prices, photos of luxury vehicles, pushy salespeople.

2. Phishing

• Description: Fraudsters send emails or messages imitating those from the platforms to obtain personal or payment information.
• Symptoms: Connection requests via suspicious links, requests for sensitive information.

3. Bank transfers

• Description: Fraudsters request bank transfers or payments via unsecured methods before delivering the vehicle.
• Symptoms: insistence on fast payments, refusal to use secure payment methods.

4. Trojans and malware

• Description: Sending infected links or files to obtain personal information or take control of your device.
• Symptoms: suspicious links or files in emails, requests to download third-party software.

5. Delivery scam

• Description: Fraudsters offer to deliver the vehicle for an advance payment, but never deliver the vehicle.
• Symptoms: delivery offers at very low prices, requests for advance payment.

Recommendations to avoid fraud

1. Profile Verification

• Make sure seller profiles are complete and verified. Look for sellers with many positive reviews and valid contact information.

2. Communication on the platform

• Always use the platforms’ internal messaging system for all communications. Avoid salespeople who insist on communicating through other channels.

3. Secure payment

• Never pay outside of the secure payment methods recommended by the platform. Favor in-person transactions when possible.

4. Ad Verification

• Look for listings with clear photos and detailed descriptions. Be wary of listings with generic or low-quality photos.

5. Meet in person

• Always insist on viewing the vehicle in person before finalizing the transaction. Check the vehicle documents and make sure they are in order.

6. Reporting suspicious activities

• Report any suspicious activity or attempted fraud to the platform immediately. Use the reporting tools provided by the site.

Conclusion

Private vehicle sales ad sites offer great flexibility and often advantageous prices. However, vigilance is required to avoid fraud. By following these recommendations, users can protect themselves from scams and enjoy their vehicle buying or selling experience.
LookID will secure your purchases and sales. Identity certification and geolocation and all the security systems developed by LookID will make fraudsters doubt.
Tomorrow no purchase or sale without verification on the LookID platform or application.