Cars are an integral part of everyday life for most Americans. They’re also a prime target for opportunistic criminals looking to take advantage of vulnerable people. Whether you encounter a problem on the road, or you’re looking to buy a new vehicle, you may become a target.
With that in mind, here are seven common car scams all drivers should know.
Title Washing
“Title washing” happens relatively often, yet many drivers aren’t aware of this specific scam. Scammers will acquire an illegal title for the vehicle and fail to disclose any accidents, floodings, or other issues. They’ll then sell it to an unsuspecting buyer.
Research every car before you buy it, and you should be able to find out all the information you need — and whether what you see on the listing is accurate.
Fake Car-Selling Ads
Social media is becoming a common marketplace to buy and sell items. Naturally, it’s important to be wary of any ads you see for cars. There’s no sure way to tell the condition of a vehicle you buy online until you see it in person. Purchasing a car over social media may provide more options, but it’s crucial to vet those options thoroughly.
To start, it’s necessary to study the quality of the photos. Does the seller provide proof they own the car, or could the images be sourced from elsewhere? Make sure to never send money before seeing the vehicle, and always pay upon delivery.
Invented Damages
After an accident, the other party might urge you not to call or inform the police. You should be wary of this, as it leaves a wide-open gap for them to drive their car away and damage it more. They could then blame you, and without anything to back up your claims, your insurance might end up paying.
Always involve the police as soon as possible after an accident. Make sure to take photos at the site so you have a timestamped record of what the damages looked like. You should also tell your insurance company what happened right away.
Staged Accidents
There is no one way to predict when a staged accident will happen, but you can keep your eyes open for reckless drivers. They pose a threat to themselves and everyone around them, whether they plan to wreck another car or not.
Scammers stage accidents to make you look like you’re at fault. You can combat this occurrence by driving as safely as possible. Try to keep a healthy distance between you and the cars in front of you, and get a camera for your dashboard if possible.
Payment Plans
Many sellers offer the option of payment plans — paying in multiple smaller installments rather than all at once. It’s important to be wary of this, as it can quickly turn in a potential scammer’s favor. They could go dark after you send a certain amount of installments, and you might never get your car. On the other hand, if you offer a payment plan to someone who wants to buy your car, they may leave you hanging.
In some cases, payment plans for used vehicles can be the best option, as they ensure you don’t spend all the money at once and never get the product. However, you should be wary when you’re on the opposite end. Unless the person is trustworthy, arrange to receive the total payment upfront for your used vehicle.
“Get Paid to Drive” Scams
You may receive an email or direct message one day from a company that says they can pay you to put advertisements on your car — therefore, you’re getting paid to drive. They’ll usually send you a check, then have you send back a portion of that money to pay for the professional putting decals on your car. In reality, the check is bad, and you’ll be out your own money when you send some to the scammer.
The best thing you can do to keep yourself protected from this sort of scam is to step away from the “get paid to drive” deals. If something sounds too good to be true, it typically is.
Identity Theft
Do your research before purchasing a car from someone on the internet. Protect yourself and watch out for any warning signs that the person you’re dealing with could be an identity thief. Warning signs include sketchy images or things not reported on the listing that are there when you look up the car.
Over 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year, so it’s essential to thoroughly research the car you’re buying for any issues before showing interest. Otherwise, someone may use the information they’ve learned about you during the purchasing process to steal your identity.
Keep Yourself and Your Car Safe
Car scams are sure to strike at some point, whether you’re buying a new vehicle or enjoying the one you currently have. Do your research before committing to any purchases, and aim to protect your car with the best insurance to keep yourself safe from fraud. You can avoid scams by doing a little research and being mindful.
Martin Banks is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modded. He covers the world of cars, driving, tech, and more.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
