Buying a Car Online Is a Nightmare: How I Avoid the Scams
1 min read
Summary
When buying a car online it is important to stay vigilant as there are many scams that can be easily overlooked
Check that the dealership is authorised and be especially wary if a seller is asking for money upfront before viewing the car or sensitive information like bank details or social security number
Be cautious of suspiciously low offers, this could indicate that the car is stolen or there is an underlying mechanical issue and it may not exist at all
Always document the process and keep a record of all interactions, a common scamming technique is to pressure buyers and create a sense of urgency as this makes it harder for buyers to do their research and make informed decisions
Be careful when using image searches as scammers often use stolen photos, so always check where the photo originated from using reverse image search apps or AI tools