Buying a used car can be a smart investment, but car buying scams are widespread, and falling for one can be an expensive and painful mistake. Whether shopping through Facebook Marketplace, eBay Motors, or private sellers, buyers should be aware of potential red flags before committing to a purchase. In this guide, we’ll highlight the most common scams, including vehicle purchase scams, AutoTrader scammers, and car title fraud, while emphasizing the importance of verifying a vehicle’s history through an authorized NMVTIS data provider so that you don’t fall foul of vehicle buying scams.
1. Counterfeit and Fake Car Titles
A car title confirms ownership, but auto title fraud is a growing issue. Fraudsters create fake auto titles to sell stolen vehicles or flood-damaged cars with fake titles, falsely implying a clean history.
Red Flags:
- The title appears altered or has inconsistent fonts.
- The vehicle identification number (VIN) on the title doesn’t match the car.
- The seller avoids providing a VIN history report.
- VIN check providers do not recognize the VIN
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Check the VIN’s validity using the NHTSA VIN decoder, which detects check digit errors that may indicate VIN tampering.
2. VIN Check Fraud: A Growing Threat
Some scammers manipulate car VIN number scams by providing fake vehicle titles or altered vehicle history reports. Buyers who rely on fraudulent reports may unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle or a car with a hidden past.
Red Flags:
- The seller insists on using a specific, unfamiliar VIN check service.
- The provided report is a PDF rather than an official vehicle history report link.
- The VIN on the report doesn’t match the car’s VIN.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Always verify a vehicle’s history through an authorized NMVTIS data provider. Use trusted sources like ClearVin to confirm odometer readings. To see how ClearVin can verify any car’s history, check out this ClearVin Sample Report.
3. Odometer Rollback Scams
Scammers manipulate a car’s odometer reading to show lower mileage, increasing its resale value and purchase price.
Red Flags:
- The car’s wear and tear doesn’t match the mileage.
- Inconsistent mileage records in service history.
- The seller refuses to provide maintenance records.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Use ClearVin’s mileage check by VIN to verify a car’s true mileage. We gather odometer records from multiple state and private sources to detect any inconsistency in mileage progression.
4. Car Title Scams: Flooded and Salvage Vehicles
Some used car scams involve disguising flood-damaged or salvaged vehicles as clean-titled cars.
Red Flags:
- Musty smell or water damage under the seats.
- A recently issued or out-of-state title.
- The seller avoids VIN verification.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Check the vehicle history report and ensure the car title is legitimate before purchase – this way you can avoid such car purchase scams and any cars declared salvage by an insurance company.
5. Fake Sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Online Platforms
Do car scams happen on Facebook Marketplace? Yes, many fraudsters use Facebook Market car scams to steal money from potential buyers.
Red Flags:
- The seller won’t meet in person.
- Pressure to pay via wire transfer or gift cards.
- Prices that seem too good to be true.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Never send money before seeing the car in person and verifying the VIN.
6. eBay Scams for Cars and AutoTrader Scams
Auto scams AutoTrader and eBay Motors use fake listings to trick buyers into sending money through fraudulent escrow services.
Red Flags:
- The seller claims the car is in another state and offers free shipping for car buyers.
- They pressure buyers to complete the transaction outside the platform.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Only use official escrow services and avoid deals that seem suspicious.
7. Car Buying Fraudsters in Private Sales
Some car fraudsters use fake car titles or counterfeit car titles to sell stolen vehicles or cars with undisclosed damages.
Red Flags:
- The seller provides no vehicle history reports.
- The title and registration details don’t match.
- The VIN appears altered or scratched.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Verify ownership and request an NMVTIS-approved vehicle history report to avoid such car fraud.
8. Auto Dealer Scams and Hidden Fees
Even car dealers can engage in auto dealer scams, adding hidden fees or misrepresenting vehicles.
Red Flags:
- Unexplained additional fees at signing.
- Pressure to buy add-ons you don’t need.
✅ How to Protect Yourself: Compare car dealerships and read the contract thoroughly before signing.
9. Where to Find Reliable Used Cars
If you’re looking for a safe place to buy a vehicle, consider AutoBidMaster, a trusted online auction platform with a wide selection of used cars. They provide vehicle history reports to ensure transparency.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding car buying scams requires due diligence. Whether you’re dealing with Facebook car scams, eBay Motors frauds, or auto purchase scams, always verify the vehicle history report, check for auto purchase scams, and watch out for car title fraud. By staying informed, you can confidently navigate the vehicle purchase process and avoid falling victim to fraud.
