How to recognize a scams in car ads?

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• Long-distance buyer or seller
• Offer includes a cashier's check, postal money order, Western Union, or escrow service (BidPay, Squaretrade, etc.)
• Refusal to meet face-to-face

You can easily recognize a scam, if remember these types of fraud.

1. Distant seller indicates they will guarantee the transaction through the some fictitious Protection Program.
   - These programs do not exist!!
   - Seller will request a down payment, and will provide detailed documentation of the "protection program."
2. Distant buyer offers a high-value (but fake) cashier's check in exchange for your item.
   - You receive an odd email offering to buy your item site unseen.
   - Cashier's check is offered for your sale item, as a deposit for a part.
   - Value of cashier's check often far exceeds your item - buyer asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service.
   - Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR.
   - Scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)
3. Distant seller requests payment via Western Union or MoneyGram: 
   - Seller often claims that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he can withdraw your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE. 
   - Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands - but could be anywhere.
   - Deal often seems too good to be true.
4. Distant seller offers to send you a cashier's check and then have you wire money: 
   - This is ALWAYS a scam, in our experience - the cashier's check is FAKE.
   - Sometimes accompanies an offer of merchandise, sometimes not.
   - Scammer often asks for your name, address, etc. for printing on the fake check.
   - Deal often seems too good to be true.
5. Distant seller suggests use of an online escrow service.
   - Most online escrow sites are FRAUDULENT, operated by scammers.
   - For more info, do a Google search on "fake escrow" or "escrow fraud".
   - If you must do business with a distant seller, insist on a legitimate service, such as www.escrow.com.
6. Distant seller asks for a partial payment upfront, after which he will ship goods.
   - He says he trusts you with the partial payment.
   - He may say he has already shipped the goods.
   - Deal often sounds too good to be true.