Reports of car scams on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and more
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Updated on by Andrew Crowell
Do car scams happen on Facebook Marketplace? Sadly, yes -- and since cars are expensive, these scams can cost victims a lot of money.
This is a compilation of Reddit posts and news articles about people getting scammed (or nearly getting scammed) when buying and selling cars on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other online marketplaces. Reading these examples will help you identify scams and make the right decisions that keep you from making similar mistakes.
KeySavvy was created to make private party sales safer and easier. When you use KeySavvy, you can focus on getting the best price and transact worry-free.
We update this list periodically with new posts. If you find a car scam report that would be helpful to include here, let us know! Click to chat or email help@keysavvy.com.
The Posts
Buyer bought car with a lien, but the seller never paid off the loan.
Tip: Never trust the seller to pay their lienholder. Learn how to safely buy a car with a lien.
Seller didn't verify Zelle payment, lost $2k.
Tip: Always verify the buyer's payment. Call the issuing bank for cashier's check and deposit cash immediately. Learn about the best ways to accept payment.
Seller had fake lien release statement. $40k still owed on the original loan.
Tip: Don't pay the seller until you verify all liens are satisfied. Read more about private party sales when the seller has a loan.
Buyer bought stolen car, lost $27k.
Seller accepted $12k in counterfeit cash. Vehicle was not recovered by police.
Tip: If you accept cash, meet at the bank and deposit it immediately. Learn about safely accepting cash.
Buyer lost $24k after purchasing a stolen car. Car was confiscated.
Title had a different VIN. Buyer can't register motorcycle.
Buyer didn't notice the lien on the title and the seller wasn't even the owner.
Buyer sent $400 deposit. Seller disappeared.
Seller promised to find the title, but didn't. Buyer can't register motorcycle.
Seller accepted fake cashier's check. Lost $20,000.
Buyer bought a car with undisclosed $10k lien.
Buyer paid $25k in cash. Car was stolen and had a lien.
Title was missing a signature. Buyer can't register the car.
California buyer discovered there was a lien that was not disclosed. Can't register the vehicle.
Seller was not the legal owner. Buyer can't register the car.
Buyer paid $7k with a fake escrow service.
Odometer was rolled back. Buyer paid over market value.
Buyer did not fully understand financing and purchase price.
Car ended up needing $2,500 in repairs.
Tip: It almost always makes sense to get a pre-purchase inspection so you know what you are buying. Read our blog article about inspections.
Motorcycle seller didn't have the title. Real title holder wants $500 more.
Seller was not the owner. Car was possibly stolen.
Title was void. Buyer can't register the car.
Title had undisclosed lien. Buyer has to pay off lien to register the car.
Buyer left abruptly after paying, illegible signature.
Lien on title, but seller has lien release letter showing it's paid off.
Seller promised to pay off lien with buyer's money. Didn't happen.
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