Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of five articles designed to help answer questions and guide users through the process of selling a car or truck on Vehix. Please be sure to check out all five articles. Familiarizing yourself with the process and the risks involved are your best protection and the best way to ensure a successful deal.
In any type of transaction there is always a risk for fraud. Vehix is committed to making the buying and selling of vehicles online a safe process. Please be aware that Vehix DOES NOT:
- Assist in any type of transaction between buyers and sellers
- Sell or buy vehicles; we simply list vehicles on our website to connect car buyers with sellers
- Offer automotive warehousing or shipping
- Ask for personal or financial information via email
- Offer any sweepstakes
- Inspect or provide inspection service
- How to Avoid Being a Victim of Fraud when selling on Vehix
Unfortunately, there are many scams that take advantage of people looking to make an honest transaction selling a car online. In general, always question anything about a potential buyer that seems out of the ordinary or just doesn't feel right. To help protect you better, here's a few red flags to look out for:
- Watch for emails you receive about your vehicle that contains a lot of spelling or grammatical errors. This may indicate that the potential buyer is from another country.
- Be wary of buyers who say they are from another country. They may also say that they are out of the country on a long vacation or business meeting.
- Be skeptical if the potential buyer sends you a cashiers check for a substantial sum that is greater than your asking price (see below example). They may say that it is for shipping or docking fees, because they are in a rush, or because they have a buyer that has already written the amount. The check can be found to be fraudulent later, and you can be left on the hook for any of the amount that is spent.
- If you are using a service to help you with your car-selling process, make sure that it is legitimate, such as escrow.com.
- Confirm the buyer’s name, address, telephone number, and ask to see their driver’s license. Always establish at least telephone contact with a potential buyer, if not face-to-face.
- Make sure that any check you receive clears the bank before turning over the vehicle to the buyer.
- Never accept third-party checks.