Vehix - find your ride
MY VEHIX
FIND A DEALER
New Cars
Used Cars
Research
Sell Your Car
Videos
Finance
Community
Green
Forums
Forums
How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists
Cat:e92ec0b3-bfde-467b-8c51-ec1b2313b782Forum:d02a8b14-df39-43a6-a6c1-5b6dbb316bf9
Cat:e92ec0b3-bfde-467b-8c51-ec1b2313b782Forum:d02a8b14-df39-43a6-a6c1-5b6dbb316bf9Discussion:4476f71d-fb1f-4f29-a6f5-42f4f4222b8f
Vehix Feedback & Suggestions
How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists
Use this forum to help us make the Vehix forums a better place for you to voice your opinion.
Maybe I missed it but a easy to find area that discusses how to deal with people who are not legitimate buyers or sellers would be useful.  I looked briefly and did not see anything.  I had
0

Forums » Vehix Feedback & Suggestions » How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register
 
 1 2 >> Last
Forums  »  Vehix  »  Vehix Feedback & Suggestions  »  How to deal with potential Scammers an...

How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 4/3/2009 11:10 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 2
First: 4/3/2009
Last: 4/19/2009
Maybe I missed it but a easy to find area that discusses how to deal with people who are not legitimate buyers or sellers would be useful.  I looked briefly and did not see anything.  I had info from another website that helped me.  If its somewhere on this site maybe it could be easier to locate?  Maybe some information containing common fake email formats...
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 4/6/2009 2:17 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 19
First: 3/31/2009
Last: 11/2/2009
Maybe I missed it but a easy to find area that discusses how to deal with people who are not legitimate buyers or sellers would be useful.  I looked briefly and did not see anything.  I had info from another website that helped me.  If its somewhere on this site maybe it could be easier to locate?  Maybe some information containing common fake email formats...
Posted by jxer00


We are currently developing informative articles that will provide valuable information about how to avoid scams when buying a car, as well as real examples of fraudulent emails. For now I would encourage you to download the PDF Selling Your Car with Vehix Guide located in the Sell Your Car portion of the site. you can see it on the right side of the main Sell Your Car page under the  Avoid Fraud notification. 

Vehix Support
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 4/19/2009 12:22 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 2
First: 4/3/2009
Last: 4/19/2009
We are currently developing informative articles that will provide valuable information about how to avoid scams when buying a car, as well as real examples of fraudulent emails. For now I would encourage you to download the PDF Selling Your Car with Vehix Guide located in the Sell Your Car portion of the site. you can see it on the right side of the main Sell Your Car page under the  Avoid Fraud notification.  Vehix Support
Posted by VehixSupport


Awesome, good to see you are working on that.  I will check the buyers guide too thanks for the tip.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 4/30/2009 9:58 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 4/30/2009
Last: 4/30/2009
I'm also glad to see your developing that, in the process of selling my car also, and you just can never be to sure.












Site for the best hunting scopes.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/6/2009 7:05 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 2
First: 5/6/2009
Last: 5/8/2009
I am unsure of a potential buyer for a car I list on here.  They want to send a shipping company to pick up the car but they also ask if I will be able to help us send shipping fees to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client.

I am new to this but it doesnt sound right?  Is this a scam?
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/7/2009 1:54 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 5/7/2009
Last: 5/7/2009
I am unsure of a potential buyer for a car I list on here.  They want to send a shipping company to pick up the car but they also ask if I will be able to help us send shipping fees to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client. I am new to this but it doesnt sound right?  Is this a scam?
Posted by Jenny Ma


Western Union + Someone you don't know personally = $SCAM$

The reason con a's LOOOVE western union is because once they pick up the money, there is nothing you can do to get it back or trace where it went. Think of WU as mailing cash, would you send cash to this guy? What can you do if he dissapears after you mail the cash?

Use a credit card (not debit), you can file a chargeback with your credit card provider for goods not received, or even take it all the way up to VISA/Mastercard/Amex if your cc bank gives you trouble.

Same idea with Paypal. Always make sure you're paying with your credit card (not your bank account) Skip paypal's dispute process and file a chargeback instead. Generally less BS to deal with that way. This generally costs more to paypal, which is the reason they looove setting your default payment to come from your bank account, and requires extra clicks on your part to change it to credit card.

Good luck,

-Justas http://justasbirgiolas.blogspot.com
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/7/2009 5:39 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 14
First: 4/18/2009
Last: 8/8/2009
I've noticed several giveaways about scammers.
Grammar and word choice.
Basic questions about an ad which already contains the answers.
Claims of being some sort of "broker" for a "buyer" who is interested in your car.
Requests for money.
Requests for a transaction involving overpayment.

I have legitimately sold a vehicle to an overseas buyer and there was a big difference between communication with that buyer and emails from the scammers.

Here is an actual email I received once selling a car:

Good day,

I am [first name last name],an auto procurement agent here in London. my client is interested in your vehicle and I need the following informations of the vehicle from you;

1)what is your bottom price of the vehicle?

2)Present location of the car and current mileage(odometer) of the vehicle?

3)Are there any dents on the vehicle?

4)What is your reason for selling the vehicle?
5)Any recent pics of the vehicle?

I anticipate your swift response for us to conclude payment of this order.

Thanks,
[first name last name]

The introduction is a dead giveaway.  I was selling a Hyundai Tiburon.  A car sold in many countries as Tuscani or Tiburon throughout the world and a car no one who has an "agent" would be buying.
The first question: Who says, "what is your bottom price of the vehicle?"  People usually ask, "what is your lowest price?"
The second question: both of those details were already in the ad. This makes me think that these people have canned emails that are blasted out to hundreds of sellers, perhaps through a software program that searches ads and automatically sends questions.
The third question: legitimate by itself
Fourth question: somewhat legitimate however this type of intrusive question is usually saved until many of the initial Q&A exchanges occur first and perhaps facing the person or talking over the phone.  Basically after some sort of small rapport is established.
Fifth question: the date from about a week prior to this email was stamped in the pictures - another obvious sign this person never even saw the ad and perhaps this was done by a program.
The conclusion: who says that about a used Tiburon?!?!

Just for fun here was my response (some answers inspired by famous quotes):

Good day,

I am [first name last name],an auto procurement agent here in London. my client is interested in your vehicle and I need the following informations of the vehicle from you;

1)what is your bottom price of the vehicle? What's your top price?

2)Present location of the car and current mileage(odometer) of the vehicle? The car is currently located in my driveway. However since I still drive it, its location may vary during the day. Current mileage changes daily.

3)Are there any dents on the vehicle? It depends upon what the meaning of the word are means. If are means are, and never has been, that's one thing. If it means, there are none, that was a completely true statement.

4)What is your reason for selling the vehicle? Like, I want to buy another vehicle.

5)Any recent pics of the vehicle? yes

I anticipate your swift response for us to conclude payment of this order. I anticipate your swift conclusion of this payment.

Thanks,
[first name last name]

When I sold a car to a legitimate overseas buyer, we talked several times over the phone, he hired a shipping company near me that was legitimate, he paid the shipping company who paid me and I made sure the transaction was made at a bank in person with the shipper. No wiring money, no "certified checks" from some bank I've never heard of. I didn't sign the title until I had money in hand at a national bank branch here in town.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/8/2009 10:18 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 2
First: 5/6/2009
Last: 5/8/2009
Thank you for the very helpful information I received. I'm glad my gut instinct was correct, it was a scam.  THe email address he used is Alton Cady <altoncady@hotmail.com & this was the letter I received.
Hello,
     I  have a client that just place a look on your vehicle and i am interested in immediate purchase of this item,but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow.
1.Do you accept a (Certified Check ) as  mode of payment.
2.What is the final asking price you can go at last.
3. Do you have more pictures of this item .....if yes send them to me.
4.. You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the payment tomorrow.
5.Will you let our shipping company to come to you house for the pick up of the vehicle b'cos we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the vehicle.
6.Will you be able to help us send shipping fees to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client.
Regards
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/8/2009 8:33 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 14
First: 4/18/2009
Last: 8/8/2009
Thank you for the very helpful information I received. I'm glad my gut instinct was correct, it was a scam.  THe email address he used is Alton Cady <altoncady@hotmail.com & this was the letter I received. Hello,      I  have a client that just place a look on your vehicle and i am interested in immediate purchase of this item,but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow. 1.Do you accept a ( Certified Check ) as  mode of payment. 2.What is the final asking price you can go at last. 3. Do you have more pictures of this item .....if yes send them to me. 4.. You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the payment tomorrow. 5.Will you let our shipping company to come to you house for the pick up of the vehicle b'cos we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the vehicle. 6.Will you be able to help us send shipping fees to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client. Regards
Posted by Jenny Ma


Yup, that's a scam attempt.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/11/2009 1:47 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 19
First: 3/31/2009
Last: 11/2/2009
Keep up the good detective work. This forum has become very useful to many Vehix Users and we encourage those of you that have dealt with scams in the past to help other potential buyers/sellers out there by posting what you've learned from the experiences you've had with fraudulent transactions.

Vehix would also like to invite all of our users to check out the new Sell Your Car articles that provide vital information about selling and buying a used car. Check out the article regarding scams at:

http://www.vehix.com/automotive/article.aspx?artid=15B0000000000BD


Vehix Support
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/27/2009 5:38 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 5/27/2009
Last: 5/27/2009
s
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/29/2009 11:33 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 5/29/2009
Last: 5/29/2009
Hi. I got this email and some of it appears to match the scam deals because the Seller wants to send more funds to cover shipping the car. I've informed the Seller that we will not accept a check for more than the purchase price and that since they're buying it for a client i want their business name and address. Any advice?

Here is the email:

Hi,
  I just want to let you know that am okay with the price and details of the Vehicle,I will like you to know that am purchasing this for my client and i will not be privileged to come for the viewing of the Vehicle due to distance and i will be solely responsible for the pick up of the Vehicle.....Since you accept bank Certified Check all you need to do is get the check deposited in your bank and the pick up will be made at your residence or any designated area of your choice.I will also be offering you extra $100 to take it off the site and consider it sold.You can get back to me with additional pics of the Vehicle? will like you to get back to me with the following details below to mail out the payment tomorrow.I am sorry am hearing impaired and i can only call you through my PC.

1.Full Name
2.Contact address(pls no p.o box)
3.Phone number
Hope to read from you today...
Regards.

--- On Thu, 5/28/09, Mahmoud Mostafa <hualone@gmail.com /> wrote:

From: Mahmoud Mostafa <hualone@gmail.com />
Subject: 1990 Honda Civic
To: nellybanky@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009, 11:04 AM

Hi Nelly,

The car is still available. It is in San Diego, Ca.

Thanks.

Mahmoud
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 5/31/2009 7:45 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 14
First: 4/18/2009
Last: 8/8/2009
In Response to Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists:
Hi. I got this email and some of it appears to match the scam deals because the Seller wants to send more funds to cover shipping the car. I've informed the Seller that we will not accept a check for more than the purchase price and that since they're buying it for a client i want their business name and address. Any advice? Here is the email: Hi,   I just want to let you know that am okay with the price and details of the Vehicle,I will like you to know that am purchasing this for my client and i will not be privileged to come for the viewing of the Vehicle due to distance and i will be solely responsible for the pick up of the Vehicle.....Since you accept bank Certified Check all you need to do is get the check deposited in your bank and the pick up will be made at your residence or any designated area of your choice.I will also be offering you extra $100 to take it off the site and consider it sold.You can get back to me with additional pics of the Vehicle? will like you to get back to me with the following details below to mail out the payment tomorrow.I am sorry am hearing impaired and i can only call you through my PC. 1.Full Name 2.Contact address(pls no p.o box) 3.Phone number Hope to read from you today... Regards. --- On Thu, 5/28/09, Mahmoud Mostafa <hualone@gmail.com /> wrote: From: Mahmoud Mostafa <hualone@gmail.com /> Subject: 1990 Honda Civic To: nellybanky@yahoo.com Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009, 11:04 AM Hi Nelly, The car is still available. It is in San Diego, Ca. Thanks. Mahmoud
Posted by hualone


That's a scam. Ignore it.  Who has an "agent" to buy a 1990 Honda Civic?
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 6/3/2009 11:08 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 6/3/2009
Last: 6/3/2009
Glad to see such a helpful community...what really sucks about some scammers based of personal experience of what happened with my friend is they cannot be caught if you fall for the scam.  My friend was scammed out of $8000.00 recently and no law enforcement agency wants to touch the matter...Fraud and Identity Theft apparently are no one's juristiction and they treat this as a "civil matter"...glad to see people are so helpful here in regards to being someone elses second eyes over a situation to prevent scams.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 6/6/2009 6:15 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 6/6/2009
Last: 6/6/2009

IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!  NEVER ACCEPT A DEAL THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS!  I RECEIVED A FRAUDULENT CHECK THAT CAUSED MY BANK ACCOUNT TO BE BLOCKED CREATING HAVOC.  LUCKILY, I HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH A REPUTABLE NATIONAL BANK THAT CAUGHT IT IN TIME.  I SUGGEST YOU REALLY KNOW THE BUYER.  I HAVE NOW SOLD THE CAR TO A FRIEND AND WILL NEVER USE THE INTERNET FOR AN UNKNOWN PURCHASE AGAIN.
 
Thanks for the reply,
I am interested in the purchase of this vehicle,however i will like to ask the following questions..
1.Will you accept a bank check as form of payment?
2.What is the last asking price of the vehicle?
3.Do you still have the vehicle title at hand?
4.Will you be able to transfer the ownership title if the information is provided for you?
5.Will you accept pickup of the vehicle from your residence?
6..Will you be able to send the moving company there funds as the payment will be issued out together in one form?
If your answers to the above questions is YES,i will like you to end the auction and delete the ad from the site.I will be offering you $100 to delete the ads and consider it sold.
About pickup of the vehicle,The payment will be issued out together in an overpayment.All you need to do is to get the check deposited at your bank and after the check have FULLY CLEARED your bank the pickup will be made at your residence.
If you accept all this i will like you to send me your full contact details,including phone number to mail out the payment..

Note:i will be unable to view the vehicle due to distance and also call you due to my hearing ailment,but i can call you through my PC if the need arises,hope this will not be a barrier for you to sell your vehicle to me.

Regards.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 6/7/2009 3:01 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 6
First: 6/7/2009
Last: 6/7/2009
In Response to How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists:
Maybe I missed it but a easy to find area that discusses how to deal with people who are not legitimate buyers or sellers would be useful.  I looked briefly and did not see anything.  I had info from another website that helped me.  If its somewhere on this site maybe it could be easier to locate?  Maybe some information containing common fake email formats...
Posted by jxer00


I deal with scammers all the time.  Especially selling cars on Ebay.  Ebay has some really good info on how to avoid scams...
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 6/8/2009 2:51 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 6/8/2009
Last: 6/8/2009
This is the EXACT same email I received from someone named Thomas Crown. Luckily I found this to be a bit suspicious. He actually emailed me back a few times. After I offered to deliver the car in person and only accept cash, he stopped emailing me. 
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 6/9/2009 9:24 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 6/9/2009
Last: 6/9/2009
to answer the one question about the sam. ITS A SCAM! i just got that same letter. this needs to be shown to all listers somehow. a guy is scaming this site! here is the email i got:

Hello,
         I have a client that just place a look on your item and i am interested in immediate purchase of this item,but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask some question as follow.
1.Do you accept a (  Cashier Check ) as a mode of payment.
2 Am ok with the price $500.
3.Will you let our shipping company to come to you house for the pick up of the item cos we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item.
4. Do you have more pictures of this item .....? if yes send them to me
5.You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the payment.
6.Will you be able to send the excess fund back to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client.
Hope to hear from you soon.
REGARDS....




anyone who gets this email should hault communictaion imedaitly. do NOT go thorugh with the buyers agrrement, its a scam.


hope that answers the quetion and lets people know. i just wish i could do something about this guy. there should be a way to ban him.
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 8/20/2009 10:01 AM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 8/20/2009
Last: 8/20/2009
Fair warning, there's another one out there. I received numerous emails from Johan_Cherie@yahoo.com/it which seemed "off" in their wording and the fact that actual details about the vehicle were not asked other than was it available.  We had gotten to the point of him sending me my price from Western Union and I actually received an email (supposedly from them) however the header would not load the actual logo and there were so many spelling errors it was almost funny. In both the email from "Western Union" and the follow up from Johan_Cherie I was asked to Western Union $200 as the fees for him sending the $4000 to me to ensure that I would be the only one who could pick up the funds. Since I am fairly certain that Western Union is more professional than the correspondence that I received and since I'm sure that their recommended security for being the right person to pick up the funds is not having the seller pay the fees I concluded my gut was right and this was a SCAM. By the way, from some of the other posters I have read - yes he did know that he was dealing with a women. I guess this little lady was smarter than those in his country.Wink
New post Reply to this post

Re: How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

posted at 8/24/2009 11:47 PM MDT on vehix.com
Posts: 1
First: 8/24/2009
Last: 8/24/2009

Please note that the email, charrodmulinc2@aol.com, is associated with the same type of scam attempt.  The email context of the scam follows:

�

Hello,

�� Thanks for the reply,i am okay with the details provided about the

vehicle,but before i proceed on this transaction i will like to ask

some question as follow.

1.Do you accept a (Certified Check ) as mode of payment.

2.What is the final asking price you can go at last.

3. Do you have more pictures of this item .....if yes send them to me. 4.. You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the payment

tomorrow.

5.Will you let our shipping company to come to you house for the pick

up of the vehicle b'cos we don't want you to worry yourself about the

shipping of the vehicle.

6.Will you be able to help us send shipping fees to the shipping

company via western union money transfer same day you receive and cash

the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down

to my client.

Regards
New post Reply to this post
 1 2 >> Last

Forums » Vehix Feedback & Suggestions » How to deal with potential Scammers and Con Artists

Latest Forum Posts
Become a Vehix Dealer  |  Usage  |  Privacy  |  Contact  |  About  |  Help  |  Press  
© 2002-2009 vehix.com All Rights Reserved  
PROD-WEB-BL01 1.0.11405.38860