scam on selling my car?

[SatisTraction]

I have had two potential buyers / scammers that have set off my internal alarm.

Both are from canada and want to buy my car at near the asking price. Then they both want the vin #, phone number, address, etc, so they can set up an inspection.

I do not mind an inspection and offer to take it to any shop that they choose in the local area. However they have a service that only comes to your house.

Am i over cautious here? I never give out my private info but the vin# of my car can be seen by anyone passing by.

[wmhjr]

You are right to be nervous. This sounds like a scammer to me. Do not give them this information. If they want to send somebody to do some sort of inspection, have them give you that businesses name and then you call that business direct. My belief is that it's a scam. They can use your VIN, home address, etc for some not so nice things.

[John Wright]

I have had two potential buyers / scammers that have set off my internal alarm.

Both are from canada and want to buy my car at near the asking price. Then they both want the vin #, phone number, address, etc, so they can set up an inspection.

I do not mind an inspection and offer to take it to any shop that they choose in the local area. However they have a service that only comes to your house.

Am i over cautious here? I never give out my private info but the vin# of my car can be seen by anyone passing by.
How did they say they found out that your car was for sale? I'd be nervous too.....

[SatisTraction]

i have no plan to give them the info.

I am scam smart but this one was new to me.

[rchaskin]

i have no plan to give them the info.

I am scam smart but this one was new to me.


maybe you should just store it at my house for a while........just in case...LOL!!

I hate scammers!!
A friend just got back from going half way accross the US to get their car back from an EBAY sell. AARRRGGGHHH.

[MarkM66]

Have you talked to them on the phone? Do they sound for real?

If I thought they were real, I wouldn't have any issues with what they're asking. It’s not like you’re giving out you social security number. People put VIN’s on ebay all the time.

Inspectors do go to your house. Where else would they do it, the local grease monkey shop? I'd be more afraid of taking my car somewhere then having someone look at it. That's part of selling a car, the buyer or someone representing the buyer wants to see the car.

Get the inspectors information. Make sure they're reputable.

[SatisTraction]

they actually seem legit. it was just odd that two people from canada called with the exact same request, etc.

i talked to hime again and he seems more legit. he wants to use carchex.com

[tazzz25906112]

Anyone wanting to purchase a car should have it checked out and it is far from unusual to have this done at a house up here in Ontario....

As everyone has pointed out, just make sure you get the contact info for Carchex and call them to confirm the appointment and that a company rep is scheduled to conduct the review......

[Steve1968LS2]

they actually seem legit. it was just odd that two people from canada called with the exact same request, etc.

i talked to hime again and he seems more legit. he wants to use carchex.com

The requested info doesn't sound too bad (as said, it's not like they wanted your SS#)

How were they going to pay? That's usually the tip off to a scammer.

As for the company coming to your home.. have a buddy wait in the house with a shotgun.. lol

But seriously, ask for the phone # to the company doing the inspeciton.. easier to check they out that way.

[SatisTraction]

How were they going to pay? That's usually the tip off to a scammer.
.

well he called again today. he is a bank manager and wants to wire the $$$ to my lawyer. i prefer cash :)

anyway i am going to let him go forward with the carchex.com. I do not mind the inpection and that cost him $25 or so to have it done.

[MrQuick]

does he have a South African accent?

[MarkM66]

well he called again today. he is a bank manager and wants to wire the $$$ to my lawyer. i prefer cash :)

anyway i am going to let him go forward with the carchex.com. I do not mind the inpection and that cost him $25 or so to have it done.

Why would you have him wire it to a lawyer? Is he taking a cut too?

Have him wire it directly to your account. Set one up for this transaction if you're worried about giving him your account info of your regular accounts.

[latamud]

Two people from the same location asking for the same info, sounds like partners in crime that posted on the same victim from different angles because they weren't communicating with each other. The use the same cover story how they want to use some 3rd party investigator to go to your house, that's why they need your address etc.
I was reading the first post about all the personal info, VIN, address etc, my guess was later in the transaction they were going to ask for your account number, and bank routing number. I don't play with my bank account info. They can use your data to post fake charges against your account, or deposit a -negative amount basically withdrawing from your account. I've read about phishing scams like this. He's already talking about sending you money and he hasn't even had the car inspected. He's setting up the money arrangements at HIS convenience. Make it more interesting, tell him you won't deal with wire transfer, you want a cashiers check and want to wait until it clears. Yes, scammers can send fake cashiers checks that will post fine up front but will bounce a few days later when your bank actually gets a hold of the buyers bank and find the rest of the check info doesn't add up.
And, getting your lawyer involved, well it sounds like he just wants you to feel at ease because he's going through the guy that legally protects you, someone you feel safe and comfortable with. What are you going to do when your lawyer gets a -negative deposit in his account? Well he's going after you to make up the difference.
I'd try some alternative payment that helps protect you.
Probe him for information, get his address, then look it up, get the bank info at the branch he works at. Look up the phone number, not one he supplies and call them to confirm the bank exists and the guy works there and that it is in-fact the same guy that wants to buy the car.
Maybe I'm wrong about this guy in Canada but I would be careful.
Do I sound paranoid? It's my job to find information. When I sell something I do my research on people before they come to the house. Cross search their email address, phone number name and see if they are registered at some carchat/forum etc and sometimes I read some of their posts. That's the beauty of open-source, it's free and readily available. It's not easy to hide from the internet these days.
Once your money crosses the border it's harder to get it back.
I'd offer to deliver the car and do an in-person transaction and see how he reacts, even if you are not serious about doing this. If he's a scammer he'll probably say he's out of town for the next few months on business in Europe or something, and that is why he is using the inspection crew and bank wire transfer.

Be creative, I like to play with my scammers.

[BlownYenko]

Scammers have given international buyers a bad name!!! I'm in Australia and bought my 68 Chevelle from California a few months back without too many troubles as the seller happened to know someone over here that I also know. Small world...

My huge problem....

I am currently looking for a Shelby Cobra replica to buy. To legally import it into Australia, I must have documented proof that the car was REGISTERED before 1989. The title is worth nothing, as it's all about the actual age of the car, not the year it's replicating.

I can't buy a car that I can't import, so I have been trying to get a copy of registration receipts and anything else that documents the age of the car and ties it to the VIN. I have lost out on cars because the owners have been suspicious.

I am now at the point that I tell sellers straight away that I need the documentation, but ask them to block all personal details and part of the VIN so that they're not giving me any information they're not comfortable with. As long as I can see that the VIN is going to be the same on documents, that's all I need.

It's a shame that scammers have made everyone suspicious, but the reality is that we've all worked to hard to build our cars to lose them to scammers. Why don't they get a real job?!?

[parsonsj]

Wiring money is actually safer than cash. It's OK as long as the money is wired directly to your account. You can have a bank representative standing by to let you know that the funds have cleared and are available in your account.

Then there's no issue with an accomplice waiting to steal the cash before you can take it to the bank.

jp

[MarkM66]

Could be a scam, anything's possible, but I don't think I'd consider two people being from Canada, as from the "same area."

My banker said the only way someone could get money from knowing your account info, would be if they took the account numbers, made fake checks with that number, and then used the checks. Seems like a pain in the ass considering they wouldn't even know if there was money in the account.

[SatisTraction]

HMM, i think i will tell him that the car is no longer for sale.

to much hassel and the risk is to great.

[tazzz25906112]

Some food for thought,,,

One- The lawyer is good,,, period.

Two- Most Canadian's want to send a wire transfer (of which we bare all the exposure) because of the BS we go through with your banks.... (Just so you know,,should anything happen with the transfer and you decide not to release the car,,, we're screwed,, not you)...

Three- This desire to wire is usually brought on because your still feeling the effects of your banking system that semi-melted down,,, and tends conducted international transactions by screwing you,,, the other side,,,, or themselves with stupid internal fees (many of the banks in the US have funds guaranteed through another US bank that has what is referred to internally as a "relationship"... This relationship guarantees the funds between US and Canadian banks) and in other cases over bearing restrictions....

Four- They (the banks) forget to mention that they hold your money (and work with it while not giving you any consideration in many cases) and frankly they are a pain in the ass to deal with in many cases on an international level...

Now before every US member of this board jumps down my throat,,,,, I love the USA, I buy many cars in the USA....
The statements above have been openly stated in your News and by your own banks... They have looked to the Canadian banking system and have openly stated "it is a better and safer system" to the consumer....
Guys this is not Nigeria,,, Canadian banks are currently financially stronger than many of yours (for the most part) so start to understand your safer with one of the following instruments from one of the three big banks in Canada (check/draft/wire) than most of your own US banks...

There are ton of scammers that have made buying a car internationally a real dance and that's really to bad because it just plan sucks as a result of this...

Chris, use a lawyer... The market sucks right now and if you have a "real buyer" and a price your both happy with,, don't blow the sale by being scared of an international transaction...

If the house thing is still burning in the back of your mind,,, their are ton of "good Appraisal/review" type guys out there.... Offer to meet in the middle on expense if they will look at the car at a shop... Express you concerns about your privacy/home and offer to work with the guy on a solution that works for both of you... If that comfort level cost more to put "you at ease", offer to pay the up side of the inspection cost elsewhere...

If it's the wire, have it sent to a lawyer in trust and show you're willing to do the same by placing the ownership in the lawyers hands in trust with the restriction of the release back to you in a specific time line if the funds don't arrive and clear (again show your willing to be reasonable and he'll do the same all things equal)...

If the guy is a banker and you tell him the funds are going to a lawyer,,, he'll likely be put at ease.

If he views you to be protective of both your interests,,, he'll most likely work with you...

If he balks at sending funds to a lawyer in trust,,,, Drop him like the plague and tell him/them to loose your number and never call again...

Just food for thought...

[69fbodyproject]

I am also assuming that the reason the people from Ontario are wanting inspections because they want to know how much work is going to be done to make the car pass the pain in the ass inspections we are required to do when the vechile is imported into the country. We are needed to do an out of country inspection and an out of province inspection, and in alot of places the mechanics in these places do not know anything, and try to have you do a lot of un needed things before they will pass the vechile so you can registar it.

[dadto2jays]

I would give them my work address and let the inspector come see the car no if's and butts about it...

[Tony_SS]

I wouldn't be too paranoid unless you have a reason to be. Give the guys your phone number, tell the inspector(s) to call you personally and you'll coordinate through them. Meet the inspector at a neutral public place.

Giving out the VIN and your phone number is OK. Home address, not so much.

If they want to buy, have your bank set up a deposit only account. Wire transfers are safe. Once the bank confirms the funds and transfers them to your normal account, call it done and make arrangement to send the title and ship the car.

[lnirenberg]

As long as your attorney will work this on the cheap, this is not a bad way to go about it. Once he confirms the funds, he can release the title and both parties are protected. In regards to wiring to your personal bank account, I went through this when I sold my '60 Chrysler 300 last summer, a big $$ car, and my local banker pointed out that we all give out our private banking info every time we write a check--routing # & account# is on every check. Never pass up a warm body with $$$. The scams I have encountered usually offer asking price + $5000 to arrange shipping with a check back to buyer for the difference in actual cost. I tell them wire the money to my attorney and he will send you the title and you can pick the damn thing up whenever you want. Never hear from them again. You might also see if a forum member in CN can check them out.

[parsonsj]

When I bought my Z06 last year, I wired the money to the seller's account, and a bank officer mailed the title to me. It worked fine.

When I sold my Nova (II Much), the B-J agent wired the money to me. Again, no muss, no fuss.

It is better than carrying large sums of cash, and faster than cashier's checks.

jp

[Rhino]

There's nothing that you've mentioned in this thread that throws any flags for me. I do prefer to work with wire transfers. Just as stated, it's actually safer than cash.

Is there anything else about the transaction/communication that has you nervous?

[kochevy67]

I would let them wire the money to an account as well, however my sugestion is to open a new account with a $100 in it and not give them your main account info.

Just my .02

[SatisTraction]

well i am going forward with it. he has set up an inspection

[mpozzi]

Have the inspection done at a shop of your choice and not at your residence or workplace. You need to get all contact information from the independent appraiser/inspection company, check and verify their existence via the web, etc., and you/they set up a time with this shop for the inspection to be done. You also need to be present for the entire duration of the inspection process.

All inspection fees (cost of the actual inspection plus shop/rack time) should be covered by the prospective buyer. Once the appointment and location is set, your job is to get the car there for the vetting out process.

Good luck,
Mary Pozzi

[minendrews68]

Talking about scams....This sounds like one I had happen to me a couple of weeks back. My son outgrew his Honda CRF80 and wanted to sell it. I told him to put it on Craigslist and see what happens. He did and Immediately got two buyers interested. This bike is '06 Very seldom was it ridden and still has the original knobby tires on it. Pictures were with the ad. I had two people in California email, stating that would pay full price, all they needed was our phone number, address, and a couple more details I didn't want to give out. I even emailed back and asked how they were going to get it back to California. Their reply's.....I am going to send a company for it. While this motorcycle is in pristine condition, we were asking $1500. for it. Now add the cost of shipping and it gets way more than the motorcycle is worth. I just quit conversing with them because I thought it was a scam. Well, that and when I told them I would have my lawyer contact them and we would conduct the transaction that way I never heard back......Go figure.

Carl

[DRJDVM's '69]

I think if you do some of the basic things suggested, theres no reason not to go forward.

Do the inspection at a neutral location...be present for the whole thing....set up a separate account just for this transfer and you should be good to go.

[ProjectSideOiler]

well i am going forward with it. he has set up an inspection

Sounds legit to me. Person is just trying to be careful in spending his money. Its far too easy to get burned these days and so many cars are not described like they really are or they simply do not exist. By having someone inspect the car and knowing its condition and that it actually exists is the SMART thing to do.

I recently had someone buying a veh and they wanted my bank wire info then they never sent the funds as promised. Turns out the guy said he was trying to verify if I was legit and would give me a CHECK when the veh was picked up. Did not like his games so told him to pound sand...

For some reason the people from Canada seem to be very cautious but have always have had great dealings with them. I cannot say that with people from the U.S.

[xxxturbo6]

For starters you NEVER give your account information to the BUYER when doing a wire transfer, The buyer should give you HIS banks phone number so YOU can call yourself and give your bank info directly to the branch manager. Then they take your info and wire HIS money to YOUR account 1,2,3 DONE! Then once the amount clears YOUR bank I would have the branch manager at Your bank call you to let you know it's all cleared.

At least that's how Iv'e done it in the past and it worked out flawlessly.


GNS

[SatisTraction]

the inspection is on friday

[SatisTraction]

well the inspector just left. He drove up in a shelby GT500 :)

he was a cool car guy and actually thought i was under priced.