5 Tips to Spot a Classic Car Scam Online
After years of poking around the corners of the internet, it finally appears: The perfect car. It has the right color, a flawless interior, the powertrain you want, and the price is just right. You contact the dealer, and they ask for a deposit to get the process started.
Whoa there. Before you drop by the Western Union to wire the cash, be wary: For every honest seller looking to pair a driver with their favorite car, there seem to be two looking to split a driver and their wallet. Luckily with a small amount of due diligence, you can find out if that dream car you found is actually just a dream.
We love finding good deals online, and YouTube channel Pleasant Green enjoys finding scammers. Host Ben Taylor recently posted a video tracking down a couple scammers who were trying to sell vintage cars. Included in the video are a few great tips for keeping your money safe. We break them down here.
Tip #1: Reverse Image Search
Pictures on the internet are incredibly easy to steal. That is what makes these scams so easy to set up—and easy to spot. By right-clicking on an image, you can trigger your browser’s “reverse image search” function, which scours the internet for similar pictures, often catching duplicate images or lightly edited photos in the process.
Scammers have been getting wise to this method, however, and are starting to do light photo editing in attempts to fool such search functions. The video above highlights an example where the license plates and backgrounds have been scrubbed of the original dealer’s information and logos and the scam business logos edited in. If you are still unsure …
Tip #2: Request a Current Photo
A dealer with a car sitting in inventory should have no issue with taking a current photo including some artifact proving they have the car on site. Ask for the local paper to be in the photo, or simply a note with the day’s date and the seller’s name written on it. Taking digital photos and sending them via email are basically free, so you should face limited pushback to such a simple request.
Tip #3: Look up the Location
Any reputable dealer or seller will give you the address of their business. Type that into your favorite maps software and let the ever-present cameras of the world tell you what you can’t physically see from afar. Does the street view show something that looks like a car dealer? Do the backgrounds of the photos listed on the dealer’s website match the environment of that street address?
Discrepancies between the photos in a car listing and third-party images of the address are typically not the most telling flaws in an ad, but they can raise a red flag and give you cause to look at everything else more critically.
Tip #4: Pick Up the Phone
Call whatever phone number is listed on the website and have a chat. A good salesperson will not come off as pushy, and they be happy to answer any questions you have about the car. There was a time when accents or out-of-state phone numbers would be a red flag, but as a person with a Kansas phone number who lives in Michigan, I’ll tell you that rule just doesn’t hold up anymore. A good conversation will reveal information that may be hidden if you make assumptions based on an area code.
Tip #5: Put Eyes on the Car
I’ve bought a handful of cars or motorcycles from sellers who were states away. Whether I trusted them or not, one stipulation of the deal was that someone other than the seller would need to see the machine before I sent any funds. Project vehicles, of which I’ve bought many, are an exception: Since I expect them to be broken, I tend to skip an inspection that will simply tell me what I already know. If you aren’t looking for a project vehicle, you’d be wise to go for an inspection if you value your time at anything above zero.
While traveling to see the car prior to purchase can seem inconvenient, it is the easiest way to prevent basic scams. If you are shopping outside of your own driving range or otherwise cannot venture to look at a car, put in a little effort to find someone who can and will. Reach out within a national club or group, and you often will find someone within range who is more than happy to have an excuse to go look at an example of a model they already like. I’ve performed such a service for people buying a car and it was actually really fun to be a part of the process, even though I didn’t get paid for my time.
In short, buying vintage cars is risky in the even the best scenario. If a potential purchase seems too good to be true, treat it as such until all the information you gather points to the opposite. Being respectful while being skeptical will serve you well: Even if you think the person on the other end might be a scammer, there is no reason to be a jerk until you have the proof. Even then, it’s best to report the ad or website and move on with your life, happy they didn’t catch you.
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Any online ad with “lost ownership, easy to get with affidavit” or similar wording is likely on the scam continuum.
If it was easy (and legit) to get why not have this taken care of to simplify the sale?
Where I live “sold on bill of sale” is also a no-no.
Some situations are worth possibly considering. For example where I live, “abandoned while in storage” can result in a legal ownership transfer to the property owner. That requires proof of a storage contract and breach of the terms, usually with you proving a trail of trying to contact the last registered owner. This process is much easier for the inheriting storage facility to do than random person (say you) to show up, take the vehicle away and then try and straighten out the paperwork after the fact.
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Some of the newer places to list things for sale online people have developed this bad habit of posting $1 or $1234 as the price. I think this reflects badly on the seller and is a huge red flag to avoid them as a hassle at minimum, and likely a scam. Kind of like the old Auto Trader printed ads where a person would say “best offer” and you are supposed to figure out from a grainy photo if this thing is worth driving 3 hours to look at only to find out it is a $700 car the seller wants $5000 for.
Arguably the most interesting car in my collection (and the one that the most people have offered to buy) is the one without a title and would need to be sold on bill of sale only.
In my state (Idaho) it is actually on the books that it is illegal to sell a vehicle without a title. So if you see an ad that says “lost title” or “not a sale, but a transfer of storage interest” in the ad — beware!
I also live in Idaho and as President of the Military Vehicle Club I buy lots of old military vehicles that never had a title. If it’s never been titled it’s not too hard to get a title. If you are worried about a lost title you can take the VIN to the DMV and have them check to see if there is an unsatisfied lien holder.
I am a fairly skeptical person to the point that a lot of folks say I’m negative. Accounting for negative outcomes in planning is not negative in my opinion
I am generally looking for the out instead of looking for the in. Any one of these things would have me running for the hills. One thing I have never done is purchased a car remotely. In fact I don’t think I have ever purchased one more than 50 air miles from my house. Part of that is I’m not after ‘The Car’… I am after the next neat toy in my toy box, and I am more than content to wait for it to come to me
You are a wise man. I’ve bought two remotely and gotten vehicles in much worse condition than advertised both times.
Well I have purchased a bunch of cars (a dozen?) that were far, far away and each of them was as good as or better than advertised.
If that is your comfort level so be it. However I live in Ontario Canada. I have purchased used cars/trucks/and Rv’s in N.Y. state/Georgia/Michigan and never had an iota of a problem. Wariness/thorough research and asking lots of questions (preferably by e-mail-in order to have a record-(helpful when being brought back into Canada) )
I agree with Fred!
I’ve purchased used cars in NY. Connecticut, and most recently a Jaguar from Pennsylvania. I live in British Columbia. These vehicles were thoroughly researched and much talking was done on the phone before the deal was made.
Best advice? Take the time to research the seller thoroughly.
My friends and associates call me the “Destroyer of Dreams”. I too, am a natural born skeptic. I don’t think being skeptical is being negative. I have never bought a car or almost anything where I did not feel good about the purchase later. I’ve researched, “calculated” risks, and made a decision. As a car guy and “many other things” guy, when asked for advice, I sometimes destroy dreams. 🙂
Sorry I would never buy a car not actually looking at it or at least have an independent appraisal done or car club member to see it.
A plane ticket is cheap insurance vs the price of many cars.
There are scams all over and often auctions and web sales are putting cars miles ftom home that are not as advertised.
Use common sense and trust no one that you did not bring to the deal.
Also avoid any deals with gift cards. How on earth people still fall for gift card scams it is beyond me. I see it every week in the paper crime report and on TV.
Many people like to launder money in car deals so keep your head on a swivel and keep an eye out for anything odd or unusual.
I Agree with both hyper v6. As most of us here I enjoy the online auctions and if I were to bid, I’d either fly out of pay someone I trust to inspect the car, and the documents.
There are car enthusiast sites for just about every make or type of vintage car. Anyone in the market for a car should join one. And when an interesting car is advertised at a far away location, start a thread on the site “Anyone near city/state?” Then in your post say you are interested in a car listed there, and are looking for someone local to put eyes on it. Often an enthusiast will be happy to go check out the car for you and take more pictures.
Maybe send them a few bucks or a gift card afterwards for their help!
There are also professional car inspectors you can hire. For a more expensive car purchase, having an expert evaluate the car is almost a must.
The stories of problems and fakes these pros have found are fascinating…
I forgot to mention, in the case of outright scammers, if a seller starts making excuses about not being able to show the car when you tell them you’ve got a local friend you’d like to send over to see it, it goes without saying, it’s a scam!!
Indeed. If they can’t show you the car how could they SELL you the car? And if you’ve got someone there ready, willing and able to look and (lie and say they would buy on your behalf) purchase, and they still aren’t able to do that, then it’s time to run away quickly.
If the price is lower than it should be, it’s a scam. When I was looking for a Tri Five Chevy, I came across a beautiful one at a great price. It had a story, it was a young woman in the military. She was being deployed overseas, and needed to sell the car fast. I used the Google feature to find similar wording. Well up came about a half dozen car ads that had word for word the same story. Then I knew it was a scam. Got to do research!
So often, any mention of the military means a scam is imminent. Someone tried that with me on a motorcycle sale.
Selling an MB C300 recently exposed the reverse scam, a buyer who was trying to get me to cash a larger check to pay the shipper. Internet revealed he and his wife had been prosecuted in Michigan for cheating customers, and I easily found a real buyer
I had that happen to me. I just sent a note saying I was going moose hunting next week so send the check to Sargent So&So at the local police station. Never heard back.
“Ran when parked, no keys or ownership”. Mailing address that’s a post office drop box. All reasons to be skeptical.
“Ran when parked “…
Doesn’t really say anything,
Or maybe it means “it was running when it smashed into a wall”
😵
It’s listed on EBay or BaT. 50/50 that there is a hidden problem.
ALL auction sites have the occasional con artist who will manage to get listed. But your statement is wild hyperbole. Half the auctions on BaT are sketchy? Seriously?
Some of you guys must be afraid to venture out of your house in the morning….
Bought two cars on BAT for very fair price before COVID really hit. Both extremely clean and mechanically perfect. One from an individual, one from a dealer. It is a well vetted site and the greater following is maybe more than a bit critical in their examination.
I have both bought & sold cars long distance on both eBay and Barn Finds. As long as you do your “due diligence” and go see the vehicle in person yourself (an absolute must in my book). I’ve driven 5-6 hours across multiple states twice (once to inspect & once to pick up) and all transactions vetted out fine. For selling, I expect cash and only cash money on delivery, period. I have met some very nice folks during all these transactions. But you have to be on the look out for the warning signs.
I sold my 59 Ford Skyliner restomod to a gentleman who claimed that he had problems with three previous cars on BaT. On the other hand, I have had good luck, buying four cars currently in the collection sight unseen plus a few others that have come and gone over the years, but I too was burned recently by a dealer who misrepresented a car’s condition. I’ve also seen buyer scams, including the “include shipping.” Then there was seeing pictures of one of my Shelby GT500’s listed for sale on eBay by someone else! There is nothing wrong with being overly careful, and everyone has a different risk profile.
When I sell a car, I always welcome inspections and/or personal visits, which can also be interesting. I once had a visitor try to drive a Lehmann-Peterson limo like a sports car!
I won an auction on Clasiq Auction and was told that they did a independent inspection report and pictures only to find out when I drove 7hrs with a trailer to pic up no where near what was described and the owner said they told him his inspection and pictures would suffice for the auction. I did not take the car and Clasiq wouldn’t refund my any of my auction fee $1200.00 even thought they admitted they didn’t send a independent inspector. Pretty much made me a sceptic of all auction sites now
That statement is very broad.
I’ve bought 7 vehicles on BaT with no issue
I’ve sold 2 cars on BaT no issue.
But common-sense ( even buying through BaT ) can save you headaches.
I’ve bought 2 cars and sold one on BaT, everything went fine on all the transaction.
All good points! I like the translation of these terms: “Solid car” – yep, all rusted together into a solid mass; “Drive it home” – I live on a hill; “Barn Find” – hidden behind all of the crap you will have to move to get to this Rodent hotel; “Unique vehicle” – try finding parts of that!
Be willing to sacrifice to GO SEE IT. He wanted to ship it…was even OK with my shipper. I drove 8 hours with a trailer to lay eyes on it…after sending him a $500.00 deposit. What crap it was! He wouldn’t return my deposit but SAVED ME THOUSANDS. I thought it better to leave his home turf than get into a bad situation 350 miles from home. Discretion is the better part of valor. TRUST NO ONE EXCEPT YOURSELF.
I agree. Experience teaches: Never, never buy a car sight unseen. I did once and it’s condition was very much overstated. Some sellers are deliberate in their misrepresentations but others may innocently do so out of inexperience or ignorance.
You must be careful also when inspecting a car under some circumstances. Many years ago, I went to see an advertised car in a distant city. The seller(s) offered to pick me up at the hotel. BAD IDEA! Arrange your own transportation and take another person along. At the site, there were several large non-car guys standing around and I felt pretty vulnerable for a time in that dark, damp, mostly empty warehouse in an isolated area of an unfamiliar city. If it doesn’t feel right, get out and get away. It sounds strange but it is hard to anticipate what may develop in some situations. Stories abound!
Dan, you are absolutely correct. It should always cost you something, either time and/or money to make sure what you are looking at is what you really want to buy. Don’t carry cash on your person when you see the car for the first time so you can vet the location and the seller for safety. You can always come back with money or meet at a bank. One lesson I’ve learned when selling, always meet buyers or seller during banking business hours on a weekday or Saturday. I hate it when a buyer says, I only have a check and everything else checks out ok with the buyer. Both want to do business, but to accept a check is a very risky thing. It’s better to meet at that person’s bank and get the cash or a cashiers check right there. The time and money spent to make the transaction secure is well worth it.
I was interested in three cars that were on the East Coast while I live on the West Coast. Flying across the country was not practical. Instead I engaged the services of an individual who inspected cars professionally.
His report was so detailed that I knew he did steps that I wouldn’t have been able to do. Pictures of the car were comprehensive and his, not the vendor’s. I ended up not buying any of the three and it cost me less than airfare and accommodation. I thought I was knowledgeable about cars but he blew me away with things that I never even considered. He sent me one of his reports on another car before I engaged his service and I talked to him so I knew what to expect. It was the smartest thing that I’ve done and I never had to see the cars in person to know what they were.
Using a professional appraiser, mechanic or restorer is a good suggestion. Kyle’s article suggests using a volunteer, such as a fellow car club member or forum contributor. But that has its risks; the volunteer may do a slipshod inspection, may be a friend of the seller, etc. If the car is worth buying, it’s worth getting the opinion of a pro.
This is a great mention that I wish I would have thought of. A professional appraiser or mechanic is very worth the cost.
Agree with getting an inspection service. Bought a car for a friend in Europe and I told him to hire a car inspector and a shipper after I did some prelim work for him. The report was very detailed and the shipping was so easy. Did it twice. Bought two cars and a bike on Ebay. Ratings and communication are so Important. Bought my Chevelle on Craigslist! Still my joy car. Asked a million questions and got a million answers. I suspect a scammer would have less patience!
Plane tickets are usually pretty cheap in the scheme of things, if you have the time. I was careful to fly out for a few hours to see a Porsche I wanted, and the car’s condition actually was slightly less than expected. The seller gracefully adjusted the price down, and we came to an equitable agreement that paid for the plane ticket and saved me disappointment.
I once walked away from a guy who was angrily offended when I told him that I wanted to fly out to him and bring his 68 Barracuda to a local shop to put it on a lift and have it looked at by a (qualified – unlike me) mechanic before I bought it…
Just because it looks rough does not mean that it is real, either. I saw a Shelby Mustang shell on Craigslist with a good storyline that was a fake one, never got to the point of calling them. Also going someplace with a pocket full of money to get a hot deal is not wise, you may never be seen again.
You may never see yourself again either….