8 ways to avoid getting scammed when buying a car online

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8 ways to avoid getting scammed when buying a car online

Buying a used car

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Don't fall for a deal that looks too good to be true.

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  • Consumers are increasingly turning to the internet to make car purchases.
  • Scam artists take advantage of car shoppers in several ways, and people should always be on the lookout for deals that look too good to be true.
  • We asked the Better Business Bureau for tips people can use to avoid getting scammed when they're shopping for a car online.

As commerce continues its evolution to the digital world, consumers are starting to buy cars online in large numbers.

While most drivers still head to the lots for their future cars, buyers are increasingly checking websites for new, used, and collector cars. And just like in other parts of the online world, scam artists are looking for car shoppers to take advantage of.

The Better Business Bureau has general guidelines to avoid falling for online scams, and many of them apply to shopping for cars online, said Katherine Hutt, director of communications for the BBB.

"It's a simple list. If everybody does the 10 suggestions, we'd drastically reduce the number of scams," Hutt told Business Insider.

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Here are eight tips to avoid falling prey to online car sales scams.

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Do your shopping on reputable websites

Do your shopping on reputable websites

Craigslist has long been a go-to marketplace, but Hutt called the site the Wild West of the internet.

The site might have plenty of listed car deals, but it’s a crapshoot if they’re real or in good shape. There are no consumer protections on Craigslist, so it’s important to use discretion.

“People do have successful transactions on Craigslist,” she said. “You just have to be careful. There are buyers and sellers, but also scammers.”

Never send money without meeting

Never send money without meeting

Many scams will ask for money upfront, and plenty of people are happy to ship money over with the promise of their dream car.

The scammer might ask for a wire transfer, a prepaid debit card, or a gift card before even meeting to ensure they don’t “sell” to someone else.

A seller should be OK meeting first before making the sale.

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Don’t believe picture you see

Don’t believe picture you see

A picture says a thousand words. But those words can also be a lie.

“Don’t believe everything you see,” Hutt said.

Remember, photos can be edited and details smudged.

Also, just because a car looks pristine on the outside, it doesn't mean everything is in OK under the hood. Be sure to get a car checked out by a trained mechanic to make sure it’s not a lemon.

Only use sites with secure transactions

Only use sites with secure transactions

Make sure you're shopping for cars only on sites with secure transactions. Unsecured sites leave computers vulnerable to attacks, potentially giving access to personal information.

A good sign is “https” before the URL, as the BBB reminds consumers, "the S is for secure."

Hutt also suggests visiting its site to read reviews to check the quality of the site.

“Use a legitimate car dealer or auction house and check out the BBB ratings for complaint histories,” she said.

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Use secure and traceable payments

Use secure and traceable payments

Along with using sites with secure transactions, it’s always smart to use a form of secure and traceable payment, just in case the sale goes awry.

Never use wire transfers, prepaid credit cards, or non-traditional payment methods, Hutt said. Only pay with traceable, traditional forms of payment. Also, don’t agree to cash-only deals, costly upfront payments, or handshake deals, just in case the seller doesn’t have the best intentions.

And don’t buy from a website suggested by the potential seller as a condition of sale.

Don’t share personal information

Don’t share personal information

Sure, the seller might seem nice and trustworthy, but that could be an act.

Whether buying a car, selling a car, or doing anything else on the internet for that matter, be wary of sharing personal information, including banking and credit card information, your social security and insurance numbers, and your birthday. Scam artists are incredibly crafty with the information they can obtain to figure out even more.

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Stay calm under pressure

Stay calm under pressure

Just like in physical car dealer situations, don’t fall for the pressure tactics.

Scammers might make a consumer feel like they have to act now or miss out on a great deal. These high-pressure tactics can make a buyer act irrationally and hand over cash or potentially give out information they shouldn’t.

When possible, buy local

When possible, buy local

Collector car buyers might have trouble with this tip, Hutt said, as rare cars might only be available across the nation. Hopefully, collectors know the best ways to handle their transactions, but sadly that’s not always the case.

“Part of it is collector vehicles — they’re buying something very specific,” Hutt said. “They might be buying something from another part of the country and it’s hard to see in person.”

For normal cases, however, it's best to stay close to home, she said. Searching the internet is great and convenient, but staying local allows a buyer to check out a car in person and meet the seller before making a huge purchase.

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