CARFAX Buyback Guarantee SCAM

Recently, we have seen a new scam geared around a fake “CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program.” Below is a description of the scam and an example of what you should beware of!

The SCAM

The “seller” claims to use the “CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program” as a means of holding a deposit (made by the buyer) that will allow the buyer to inspect the vehicle during a grace period after it is shipped from the “seller” (sometimes referred to as an “escrow” service).  This is a scam.  Once you send your deposit, you will never hear from the “seller” again. 

The TRUTH

The actual CARFAX Buyback Guarantee comes with the CARFAX Vehicle History Report and does not require payment from you.   The CARFAX Buyback Guarantee protects consumers from unknowingly buying a used car with a branded title issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles. The CARFAX Buyback Guarantee is not an escrow service.  For more information on the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee, go to http://www.carfax.com/cfm/helpcenter.cfm.  If anybody asks you for money associated with the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee – it’s a scam!  Before sending money to any seller, check to make sure the seller is legitimate and ask for a copy of the vehicle title.

SCAM EXAMPLE

Here is an example of the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Scam. The “seller” will send you an email with the following message or something similar to it:

The financial part of our transaction is going through CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program and here are the steps:
- I need your full name and address to put on the title.
- I will forward our information to CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program to register the transaction.
- CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program sends you the invoice and the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee certificate.
- you will have to send a 20% refundable deposit to CARFAX BuyBack Guarantee Program to start the procedure..
- after they secure the deposit , they will notify me and I will start shipping.
- shipping will take no more than 10 days depending on your location.
- after you receive the vehicle you will have another 5 days to inspect it.
- when the inspection period ends CARFAX BuyBack Guarantee Program contacts you and if there are any issues with the car, they will fully refund you within 3 business days and the car will be shipped back at my expense. If all is good with the car, which I'm sure it will be, they will assist you with the title transfer and release the payment to me.

Comments

[AW]

Thank you. Someone tried this scam on me this week and it didn't sound right (nothing on the Carfax website about acting as a middle man for payments), so I googled it and found this site.

[GA]

Just happened to me !! However I was very skeptical so I googled "Carfax Buyback Guarantee" and found this article ! Glad I did ! BE CAREFUL !!!

[Jeff Matthews]

Autotrader.com had a truck i followed up on. It sounded to good to be true and it was. They tried this scam. BEWARE! Thanks to whoever for posting this.

[Randy Boone]

I was interested in a truck on Autotrader.com also here in California. Response from the seller said the truck was in KY now. Somebody should be able to hold the license plate owner accountable. They won't even let me fly there to pay cash. Thanks for the help!

[DVilla99]

Does this message I received from a potential truck seller look familiar to anyone? I am doing research on a vehicle purchase but want to make sure nobody has seen anything like this before.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The price is $ 7.800 and the shipping is included. I have moved with my work in Hillsboro, KS and the truck is here now. The truck is in excellent condition and street legal. There is no rust dings or dents. The truck has 43,080 miles. As you may see in the picture all numbers are matching. I have clear title. When I moved here in Hillsboro I used a very good shipping company called Global Delivery LTD to transport the truck. The truck is still at the shipping company here in Hillsboro and it is ready to be delivered to your shipping address. I have included all receipts, paperwork, owners manual along with the truck. The shipping can take 3-5 working days. The truck will be delivered in an enclosed trailer and nothing wrong will happen during transportation. I will pay for the shipping and insurance because since I am already a customer the price for me will not be high.
I have many offers for this vehicle and I will appreciate a quick reply and a contact phone number.

The financial part of this transaction will be provided by CARFAX Buyback Guarantee Program.
I'm a serious and honest person and I will treat you with respect and I expect the same from you and I am not looking to waiste anybody's time! The main reason of selling truck is that I have to urgently pay the mortgage that I have on my house so I am looking for a straight buyer in order to close a straight transaction
If you are serious about this purchase get back to me and we will complete this transaction.

[Cars.com Fraud Expert]

Yes, this is fraud. Carfax does not have a Carfax Buyback Guarantee. Please refrain from additional correspondence with this seller.

Cars.com Fraud expert

[David]

I just got that same thing execpt it was about a green camaro with 85000 miles on it and the dude just moved and the car was there and blah blah..

[Glen Mavis]

Well I fell for the above scam and I am out $6,000. What do you do next. This scam seemed to be soooo legite. The e-mails back and forth and the invoice from what appeared to be CAR FAX. Its too bad these smart people can not put there efforts towards something productive instead of illeagal activities. This issue has severally impacted my business.

[Sue @ Used Cars]

I can't believe that people have the balls to do things like this and still think that they can get away with it too. I am so glad that someone has caught on to this and has posted a warning to others, lucky for me we don't have this company in South Africa but that doesn't mean that there isn't something here that has been used in a scam like CARFAX, its bad as it puts down the whole company that people are scared to deal with them.

[JOnes]

Why would anyone but an idiot buy a car sight unseen that has to be shipped to them?

[Elizabeth]

I have an email from someone purporting to be a buyer and something about it is making me suspicious - he's telling me a tale about another seller who he sent a check for WAY more than the price I'm asking, who will supposedly send that check to me that I will then "deduct" my price from it and return the rest. That alone causes me to be suspicious, and the fact that this person uses "cheque", "advert", and "expence" tells me I'm not dealing with a speaker of American English! So I will not be completing the sale. Should I respond and tell him so, or just not respond at all?

[Cars.com Product Manager]

Please refrain from future correspondence with this person.

Cars.com Product Manager

Eryn Cech
Product Manager, SIY

[Jay Jacobson]

My husband and I were trying to buy a truck from the UK they said that Carfax Buyback Program would guarantee the funds that after they received the funds then the truck would be shipped and then we would have 10 days to inspect and decide if we wanted to keep the truck, they kept calling and asking what the problem was and I said I wanted to usen Escrow.com and they mentioned this program, They are good but not that good thats for sure.Oh and by the way they gave me an account to send the 12,000 to and it was an account in the UK. How stupid do they think I am?

[Randy Shealy]

I agree...this is a scam. They tried to put it on me and when i checked this program out, i found this article....sooo glad i did. Everybody please be careful and dont fall for this scam. Good luck.

[Randy Shealy]

oh, and buy the way...they were trying to sell me a real nice, low hours 2001 Seadoo jetski GTX...purfect cindition and the name was Glenda Richardson, so keep a look out for this person.

[Bobby Slice]

I got the same offer from Glenda Richardson( glenda.richardson@hotmail.com ) on selling a 2001 SeaDoo jetski w/ low hours and perfect condition for $1800 and she pays all shipping and insurance to my front door and if I do not like it in 5 day grace period she will pay to have it shipped back to her and I get a full Refund.She says that the title and all paperwork will come with the jetski. She sent photos of it and it looked good. Her reason for selling it was due to a divorce 2 weeks ago and she moved to Bremerton, WA from Florida. It made her heartache every times she looks at it. I asked her to call me and send me more info but all she sends is info on this scam of the Carfax Buyback Program. Does this woman think that I am that gullible to buy something site unseen and also with me knowing the cost of shipping this item across country to me and shipping it back if I do not like it. The asking price was $1800 and , tell me how she would make money on this deal if it was not a SCAM. Buyers please beware of this Seller( Glenda Richardson) selling a 2001 SeaDoo Jetski in perfect condition for $1800.What is the old saying- IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD THAN IT IS NO GOOD!!!

[Ricky]

Found this same scam on oodle.com. http://www.oodle.com/view/2002-polaris-6x6-ranger/1668752072/dallas/usa:tx:dallas/

Here was the reply:

Hi,

I just want you to know that two weeks ago I have suffered a divorce and I got this atv after the divorce. I have been married 10 years but now I've recently relocated to the Bremerton/WA because I have some family here. Also, it's hard for me to own something that makes my heart ache every time I see it. I'm willing to sell it for $2,700 with shipping included. The atv is in excellent condition as you can see in the pictures. It has been regularly maintained. It runs like brand new with no issues. Clear title. I can deliver it to your shipping address (i will pay for the shipping in US and insurance fees) and i will agree to let you test and inspect it for 5 days just to be sure. In this 5 days you will test it's condition. If something won't be like you expected to be you can return it without any expense. It will come with all the paper work.
The deal will go through atv CARFAX BuyBack Program. In this way both of us will have the required assurance that the deal will take place well. A refund policy will be included.
If you agree with these terms please reply me with your full name, shipping address and phone# so that i can forward them to CARFAX BuyBack Program. They will send you a complete list with instructions.
I`m waiting for your reply as soon as possible.

Thanks