Welcome to Cars.com's SAFE Blog for Buyers & Sellers!

Thanks for finding us! We're here to help you shop for and sell cars safely. We do our best to eliminate fraud from Cars.com before it gets to you, but unfortunately, it sometimes slips through. In this forum we'll let you know how to recognize some tactics scammers use and what to do when they're being used on you.

A few general ground rules for safe selling and buying:
1) If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is -- trust your instinct.
2) If your communication with a buyer or seller makes you suspicious, cease all communication with that individual.
3) Report any activity that makes you suspicious to reportascam@cars.com.
4) NEVER, EVER wire money to a buyer or seller.
5) NEVER, EVER accept a check for more than the value of the vehicle.

Following these tips will help protect you from most scams. Search through our categories to find information pertaining to your situation.
Thanks, and good luck.
-The Cars.com Team

Questions or concerns? Call (888) 780-1286 or email us.

Cars.com Transaction Scam

If you receive an email with subject: "Cars.com Transaction xxxxxx confirmed!," this is NOT an email from Cars.com.  Cars.com does not have a safe transaction program.

Cars.com provides an environment to bring car sellers and buyers in contact with each other. We do not have any involvement or influence in the actual vehicle transaction.

Example Email:

 

PHISHING EMAIL - URGENT notice: Your Cars account may be deactivated and your Ad deleted

Please do not respond to the email (below) asking you to confirm our new terms and conditions. This is a phishing scam to obtain your password.  The link in the fraudulent email doesn't go to the cars.com website.

If you received this email and logged into your account from clicking on http://www.safemaillogin.com/LoginAuth.html?, then follow these steps:

1. Close your browser

2. Open your browser and go to www.cars.com

3. Click the sign in link

4. Change your account password

5. Verify all your ad details haven't been changed

6. Email reportascam@cars.com if you have any other questions

-----EMAIL EXAMPLE BELOW------------------------------------------

From: Cars.com Staff <mail-noreply@Billing-Cars.com>

Date: 8 Oct 2009 00:17:22 -0000

To: <kmoore@elitedoctechnology.com>

Subject: URGENT notice: Your Cars account may be deactivated and your Ad deleted

Dear Customer,

Cars support team is writing to inform you that the Terms of Use have changed and all Cars customers must accept the new Terms of Use in order to retain the service.

If the new Terms of Use is not accepted by Oct-15-2009, your Cars account may be deactivated and your online Ad deleted also you will not be able to reactivate it.

In order to keep your Cars account, please follow these easy steps:

1. Click on the link below.

2. On the sign in page, enter the E-Mail and Password for your account and then follow the instructions.

https://sell.Cars.com/syc/login.jsf<http://www.safemaillogin.com/LoginAuth.html?1r2Aww6wbD3f8,1_437_AFKliGIAAGXwSq1rcwinUCRWMyU,&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&pSize=25&hash=008d7e5a0e030e9e80072c45d92f3725&.jsrand=4334854>

 We are sory for any incovenience this may caused and we want to thank you for being a Cars customer, and hope you continue to enjoy our services.

Best regards,

Theo Hnarakis

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Cars.com Private Seller Survey Scam

Please do not respond to an e-mail that asks you to fill out a web-based survey. This e-mail is sent from a fraudster and is not associated with Cars.com.

If you do enter any credit card information on the survey, then please immediately cancel your credit card.

Check out AutoConsign.com with additional fraud tips

AutoConsign Fraud Tips

AutoConsign.com is the premier online location for buyers and sellers of privately owned vehicles.

AutoConsign.com has a significant experience in the listing and pricing of vehicles and the paperwork required with selling or purchasing a vehicle.

The value that AutoConsign.com can add is in their experience – they give you every tool you will need in order to buy or sell a vehicle on your own.