In SERIES: MONEY CAN BUY HAPPINESS! EPISODE 4 I gave my readers tips when buying a used car. And in Social Networks: Tools & Terrors I warned my readers of the downfalls and threats that exist with the use of social media and the internet. Unfortunately during my recent and ongoing quest to buy a used car I found that these two subjects are inextricably linked. Therefore I felt it imperative to update my readers on some disturbing facts I have discovered and provide even more information that will help you when shopping for a used car while protecting your personal and financial identity.
In this day and age of divorced families, high unemployment rates, and low wages many persons cannot afford to purchase a new car. Like me, many people who need to buy a vehicle opt to purchase a used vehicle that fits their needs and their budget. As with most shopping endeavors many people turn to the internet to find what they are looking for. Used car shopping is no different. Many used car shoppers turn to sites like Craigslist and Autotrader when shopping for a used vehicle. These sites like many other independent sites are riddled with ads posted by con artists and identity thieves looking to make contact with their next victim. Below are examples of some of the scams and dishonest practices I have encountered during my ongoing search for a used car , how you can recognize them and the measures that can be taken to avoid being taken advantage of by these criminals.
Ad Text:
1. Be suspicious of ads that do not contain all the information one would reasonably want to know when buying a car like make, year, mileage, condition, options and full model description. For example, an ad that does not list the mileage and only says 2002 Toyota Corolla cannot be accurately valued in a value check via Kelley Blue Book. Many vehicle models have an extension to their model name. A Toyota Corolla for example comes with extensions such as CE, SE, and LE. Most sellers of vehicles look up the value of their car before selling and are well aware that the model type is necessary to value accurately.
2. Be suspicious of ads that contain very short and general descriptions such as “great car, looks and runs good, cold a/c”.
3. Be very suspicious of ads trying to appeal to a sympathetic buyer such as ads stating “elderly woman”, “disabled vet” , “single mom with small children”, “struggling student”.
4. Be suspicious of ads posted for sale in your area but are located far away or have no location listed at all.
5. As sites like CARFAX and AutoCheck are widely used by used car buyers many ad sites provide an option for the sellers to provide the VIN number for the vehicle they are selling. Ads that include the VIN number are most preferable.
6. Do not consider ads for cars whose model year is before 1992 regardless of how great they look. Kelley blue book does not value cars made before 1992 therefore their values cannot be determined.
Ad Images:
1. Avoid ads that have only one or two photos.
2. Be suspicious of ads that do not contain straight line photos. Straight line photos are ones taken directly from front or back of vehicle. Straight line photos give a view straight down the side of the vehicle which many times reveal body and frame damage and other evidence of accident. Exclusion of straight line photos is a popular method to disguise frame damage, dents and the like. Exclusion of straight line photos is a common practice amongst questionable used car dealers.
3. When searching for used cars online I highly recommend using Google as your search engine. Google has a wonderful tool that when you right click any image it will search for that image online and display all instances that image has been used.
For example: I found a beautiful supposedly 1996 truck for sale on craigslist in Gainesville, Florida. Upon checking the value on Kelly Blue Book I found that it’s listed sale price was thousands of dollars below the value. Being suspicious I right clicked the main image for the truck and google searched the image. I found that the EXACT same picture was being used to advertise a 1999 truck for sale in Buffalo, New York.
Contact:
1. Avoid ads that only contain generic email addresses and do not contain a telephone number for contact.
2. If you dial a number and receive a message that says something about “google text service” HANG UP THE PHONE and forget about the ad. Google text services is a service that enables persons to retrieve messages for a phone number (usually prepaid). It is used by persons who do not have a cell phone and is commonly used by scammers in Nigeria, Mexico and Columbia as a way to receive text message contact from unsuspecting victims.
3. Keep it strictly professional. Avoid overly personal conversations with sellers.Caller ID on most phones already provides your phone number and in many cases your name to the person you are calling. Many scammers and identity thieves will attempt to lure unsuspecting victims into a friendly conversation to find out how old you are, if you are married, if are you a student, where you work and how long you have worked there, where you are from, how many kids you have, etc.
4. Strictly avoid communications that are strictly via email. Always request a contact name and number. DO NOT open any links contained in emails received. Many scammers and identity thieves include links in their emails that when clicked allow access to your email account, download worms that seek out personal and financial info and can even download programs that allow them access to your computer.
5. If upon calling a contact number you find you have unknowingly reached a used car dealer – HANG UP! Many used car dealers use vague and dishonest ads that do not identify them as a car dealer in an effort to get you to the lot. Any car dealer that has to use such tactics is usually not reputable or trustworthy.
As usual I can only advise you to be cautious and careful and use your very best judgement when buying or shopping for anything online. I hope the above information will prove very helpful.
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