Advice for Sellers to avoid Scam

Selling a car you find online is a lot like selling a car through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.

Confirm contact information

Be particularly wary of buyers willing to purchase your car sight-unseen, especially buyers located overseas. Always verify the buyer's street address and phone number.

Secure payment first

Do not transfer the title until you have payment in hand at the agreed upon price.

Verify that a certified check is genuine

Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn't cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account.

Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes

Don't agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the sale price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any buyer who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the buyer.