10/09/2025
Scammers are prevalent all over social media, especially when it comes to vehicle sales. So, we put this guide together to help you identify deals that are possibly 'too good to be true'.
➡The Price: This is the most significant warning sign. If a vehicle is listed at a price significantly below its market value it's a major red flag. Scammers use low prices to get a lot of attention quickly and entice buyers to act without doing proper due diligence.
➡Listing Details: The listing has a very short or generic description with little to no detail about the vehicle's history, condition, or why it's for sale.
➡A New or Empty Profile: The seller's social media profile was created very recently, has no friends or activity, and no other posts besides the vehicle listing.
➡Images: The pictures of the car look like they were taken from a professional website or a different listing. Sometimes, the background in the photos will change.
➡Multiple Listings: The seller has multiple vehicles for sale, all at suspiciously low prices.
➡Communication: The seller makes excuses for why they can't meet, claiming they are "out of the country," "serving in the military," or "travelling for work."
➡Pressure to Pay a Deposit: They will pressure you to send a deposit immediately, claiming that there are many other interested buyers and that you need to secure the vehicle quickly. Never send money for a car you haven't seen in person and verified the paperwork for.
➡Communication off the Platform: They try to move the conversation from social media to a private email address or a different messaging app. This is a tactic to avoid being reported and to make their scams harder to trace.
➡Unusual Payment Methods: The seller insists on an unusual or untraceable payment method, such as a wire transfer (e.g., Western Union), gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
➡Vehicle and Paperwork Red Flags: The seller will not allow you to test drive the car or have it inspected by a trusted mechanic. This is a strong indicator that the vehicle has hidden problems or doesn't exist at all.
➡Missing or Inconsistent Paperwork: The seller is unable to provide the official vehicle logbook (V5C), service history, or MOT certificates.
➡Fake Vehicle History Reports: The seller provides a vehicle history report from a company you've never heard of. Scammers often create fake websites to generate fraudulent reports.
Illustration credit: Louise Limb
