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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When I was buying a 72 Corvette in Ohio (I’m in NH) I went online and viewed the bank they were using along with calling the bank to make sure it wasn’t a scam. I also created a temp bank account for the wire transfer, again just I case. Check everything the best you can, and good luck with your purchase.
In November 2023, my loan customer found his dream truck for $34,000.00. A 1957 Chevrolet 3100. The fake online dealership was Angelos Auto Sales, LLC, in New Castle, Delaware. He had spoken to them on the phone so they could send me the Bill of Sale. I looked up the website and sent an email, so they would have my contact information. In between emails and phone calls, both my customer and myself were Googling the company and the address. We looked at Google maps, and it just didn’t jive. The online photos did not match the location, and there was no car dealership at that location. I emailed the “sales rep” again, asking where the vehicle was physically located. He replied that it was in the warehouse behind the dealership. I went back to the map and “traveled” down the block and behind the crummy looking building to find an even crummier, broken down building in the back. The other obvious Red Flag was that the Bill of Sale had my customer’s delivery address in Alice Tx, and he doesn’t live anywhere near Alice. Delivery fee from Delaware to Texas was $0.00 (what a deal!) So, my customer started looking for the truck online and found it on a few more websites. One in Puerto Rico, and one showed the seller lived in Richardson TX. He contacted the classic car website of the Tx location, and it was the legit listing. Same vehicle. He saved himself from a $34K loss! Do the Due. Do your due diligence!
#6 – Same attractively priced car being offered in four different locals.
One that has not mentioned and is probably the most basic is: If it is too good to be true, then it most likely is not true.
While looking for a C2 Corvette I saw one advertised at a suspiciously low price. I was prepared to buy a plane ticket and go see it. Was told that the car was in storage and she was deployed overseas. If I just sent the money she would arrange to have it shipped. Needless to say we never had contact again. A few days later the ad was deleted.
I agree with you. I have bought several vehicles on Ebay, but I always go look at them and drive them. Last spring, I found what looked to be an excellent, reasonable mileage 4-Runner in the Fort Lauderdale area. The price was fair, not cheap. It was a local car lot, not a major brand dealer and they had a good rating on Ebay. After a call with the sales guy, I said I would by the car and sent a small deposit to hold it (which I will never do again, no matter how small) until I looked it over and drove it. I flew to Florida. The vehicle looked great and drove great. It did have somewhat of a strong cleaning odor to the interior to which the sales guy said they really clean their cars well. After returning to his lot after driving it, I told him I wanted to look at the engine. The engine and the engine compartment were totally covered in rust. It was terrible. It certainly had major water damage. I passed on it. I was out $700 on deposit and travel expenses but I did have a nice couple of days in Florida, excellent seafood and couple of Maker’s Mark 46 Old Fashioneds so not all was negative. Always – always look and drive it or have a truly independent professional do it for you. Never let the seller pick the person doing the inspection. Consider it insurance expense.
I will never buy a car I can’t touch before I part with my money.
I tried to buy a 4 wheeler online thru Paypal which I thought would stand behind the deal if paid through them. NOT so Fast. The small print in Paypal rules excluded them from any guarantee on a motorized vehicle. !st time I ever read the small print and was very happy I did. Be very careful.
Web sites and the Ts and Cs associated with or the lack thereof should be a concern. When Hagerty created their site, I was initially intrigued. What a great platform; Hagerty customers selling their cars to other customers and potential future customers, a close nit community with cred. As time went on, I could tell that this concept went corrupt in short order with anybody able to advertise.
I wish there was catagory for Hagerty clients only.
When physically looking at the car, do it when you can look under it. I met a man who bought a Tri-Five Chevy after inspecting it in the seller’s snow covered yard. Oh, it looked great inside and outside, but due to the snow, he didn’t get under it and found after he got it home, it was a rust bucket underneath.
Looks like the site is still up and the copper 57 vette is listed.
My favorite is when they say a car is located in Buffalo, NY, but there are palm trees in the photo.
Easy, Big Guy! I just so happen to be wearing my “BUFFAL0 VS. EVERYBODY shirt.
Lots of ads. on C. list used to be that way. Oh yes, the old palm tree trick!
I recently purchased a car off of Hagerty site. i live in Arizona and car was in New York. Contacted seller and asked a lot of questions and requested specific photos and other information. I then contacted an agency that brokered the deal. I sent the money and seller sent title. When car arrived, I had three days to inspect and accept. After inspection was done informed agent and they sent me title and released funds to seller. Well worth the money.
With fancy phones every where. I’ve done video calls with a walk around. Fire it up while on the call. Have a question. Tell them go back to that spot to see again.
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 have heard a lot of stories about taking vehicles out of or into Canada. None of them sounded good. Seems as if it does not matter what the rules are, or what your read about import/export, it is all up to the Tin Horn Customs officer’s mood on the day you show up at the border.