Beware Of Online Car Fraud

Don't assume the vehicle you are looking at online is "OK"

Fraud is rampant on the Web today, especially for online vehicle transactions. Our staff members are contacted daily with stories from buyers and sellers regarding fraudulent vehicle listings and fraudulent online escrow sites. Unfortunately, many of these people ask for our help when it is too late - after they have lost thousands of dollars.

They typically don't want to use our services because:
"The car is listed on Ebay® and the seller has good feedback - it must be OK."
"I talked to the seller and he/she sounds nice."
"I'm buying from a dealer - I'm sure everything is fine."

You're no safer buying a car online from a dealer than you are from a private party. The car you are looking at online may not be in the condition represented by the dealer. Photos don't cut it - only a vehicle inspection can determine the real condition of the car and note any problems.

We've also seen dealers:
• sell cars they do not own (you get the car but never get the title)
• sell cars with liens against them (the lienholder will repossess the car from you)
• "wash" titles to hide accident or other vehicle damage
• create fake titles

Fraudulent sellers steal real photos, a real description and real VIN from a listing on the Web. They use the stolen VIN in their online listing. When you run a Carfax® report, it looks fine, but it's for a car the seller does not own. You send the seller a deposit, or worse yet, the entire payment. Kiss that money goodbye, because you will never see it again.

Unless you conduct car transactions every day like we do, you'll never know you've been swindled until it's too late.

Don't take our word for it -
Web car buyers getting hoodwinked (MSNBC)
Fake escrow sites, fake listings (MSNBC)
Escrow fraud ruining Craigslist? (ZDNet)

Think you're safe as a seller?
Forged and stolen cashier's checks are everywhere. Bank wires can be fraudulent (deposited to your account and later cancelled). Your bank will even tell you the check or wire is OK. They'll make the funds available to you right away. It can take weeks to find out a check is fraudulent. When that happens, your bank deducts the money from your account immediately, or expects repayment from you immediately.

OCC Consumer Advisory

Don't be a victim of online car fraud! Let the professionals at Buyer Guardian handle your online transaction for you. We will ensure that you are protected from fraud. Our customers win every time.

***Don't try to save three or four hundred bucks only to lose thousands later!***

Let us help you protect your vehicle purchase

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