Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of an Online Car Buying/Selling Scam

Selling your junk car online is a convenience that many people prefer. You can easily connect with reliable and prospective car buyers and sellers from the comfort of your own home. However, on the contrary, there are also a lot of people on the Internet that may try to take advantage of you. Unfortunately, these types of people make online scamming a part of life by exploiting unsuspecting individuals. In fact, according to the National Consumers League, their official Fraud Center hears from consumers about circumstances just like this every day. This is why it is very important that you do your homework first.

If you are considering buying or selling your car online, here are some ways the organization suggests you can avoid getting caught up in a fraud or scam:

• ALWAYS try to deal locally when buying or selling an automobile or other high-value merchandise.
• DO NOT sell or buy a car from someone who is unable or unwilling to meet you face to face.
• NEVER buy a car that you have not seen in real life and had inspected by a professional. A vehicle history report may also be a good idea, though scammers have been known to use fake vehicle identification numbers to defeat this countermeasure.
• WAIT until a check (personal, cashier’s, certified, or otherwise) has cleared the bank to transfer title or the car itself. Funds being made available by a bank DOES NOT mean the check is not counterfeit. Clearing a check can take days or weeks depending on the financial institutions involved. Check with your bank about their particular processes for clearing checks.
• NEVER trust a seller or buyer who says that the transaction is GUARANTEED by eBay, Craigslist, PayPal, or another online marketplace. These sites explicitly DO NOT guarantee that people using their services are legitimate.
• BEWARE sellers or buyers who want to conclude a transaction as quickly as possible. Scammers want to get your money before you have time to think or have a professional examine the deal.
• CALL the buyer or seller to establish phone contact. If the buyer or seller seems to neglect details agreed to via e-mail or is unable to answer questions about their location or the location of the automobile in question, it is likely to be a scam.
• ALWAYS trust your gut. If a deal feels “fishy” or sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Plenty of people use online classified ads to buy and sell cars every day. The vast majority of these transactions are legitimate and go smoothly. Losing out on a “great” deal in order to work with someone you trust could save you big in avoiding a possible scam.

Sell Your Car for Cash to North Texas Auto Buyers

When selling your car online for cash, it is important that you choose a reputable company. At North Texas Auto Buyers, our number one goal is to ensure you safely and securely sell your car.

After you have received a quote from us to buy your junk car, we work with you to arrange a pickup time where you will receive a Bill of Sale.

If you are ready to sell your car for cash to North Texas Auto Buyers, get started today. Contact North Texas Auto Buyers.