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:

 

Cars.com Marketplace Safety Tips - Fake Email

Please be aware that the email screenshot below was not sent by Cars.com, even though the fraudster is using our Customer Service Representative's name in this fake email. 

Cars.com DOES NOT have a "Cars.com Protection Program".  We are not involved in the transaction or payment process between the buyer and seller. Cars.com also does not have an Escrow Department. 

We encourage sellers to use Dependable Auto Shipping and Escrow.com for shipping and escrow services.

(Click image below to see Fraudulent Email)

Payment Invoice for Transaction

We have reports of car buyers receiving a scam email with a subject line of "Payment Invoice for Transaction ID# XXXXXXXX."  If you receive an email with this or a similar subject, please refrain from further correspondence with the seller.  Never wire money to a buyer or seller regardless of any assurances they make.

Cars.com is ONLY a classified listing service and NEVER is involved in payment between the seller and buyer.  Despite contrary appearances, this email was not sent by Cars.com.

SAMPLE FRAUD TRANSACTION EMAIL (Click on Image to Enlarge)

Financial Department from Cars.com Spoof

Cars.com simply provides a classified listing service and never participates in transactions between buyers and sellers; specifically, we do not sell vehicles, collect payments for vehicles, warehouse vehicles, or ship vehicles.

SAMPLE EMAILS FROM FRAUDSTER (Click on images to enlarge)---------------------------------------------

Hi again,

Here is what I suggest: we will use financial department from cars.com. I send the car over, you can inspect it, take it to a mechanic to check it out, drive it and then pay the remaining ballance. If, by any reason, you will not be satisfied with it ( even though I can assure you that it is exactly as described), you can return it at my expense for a full refund of your money, no questions asked. I think this is more than fair for the both of us. If you agree, please provide your full name and shipping address and I will get everything started immediately. Afterwards, cars.com will invoice you the transaction details and payment instructions. All you will need to do is follow through with their guidelines. I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Thank you,

The escrow process of Cars.Com for the completion of a transaction (purchase or sale) through Internet can be done in four simple steps: 

     1.   A transaction agreement is established;

    2.   The buying party remits the transaction amount to Cars.Com.

    3.   The selling party ships the merchandise to the buying party.

    4.   After the expected date of delivery has elapsed, the buying party is granted a 30-day inspection period, after acceptance of the merchandise by the buying party the selling party is paid.

Pay for additional listings scams

Hello-

We've learned of a scam that has not hit our site but has hit several sites in other classified advertising categories, and we want you to stay ahead of the game.

Basically, a scammer will post an ad through us, but through either the text of an ad, or if you communicate with that seller, they will invite you to register/pay to see more listings. Usually these companies just want you to enter your credit card information so that they can use it!

Often these companies claim to have their car through impoundment or other police acquisitions, reposession, or some tie to an insurance company. Remember our fraud tips and you should be fine.

New Escrow Site Scam

Hello-We're seeing a new escrow scam. A customer reported this to our attention when replying to an ad for a Lambroghini listed for $139K. The seller claimed to have moved to London and needed to unload his car because the steering column is on the left. Obviously, even this is not reason enough to sell a Lambroghini that cheaply.

Remember, only use Escrow.com!

Latest shipping scam

Here is the latest shipping scam we're seeing. It claims to use a "Yahoo! shipping center", which does not exist. Please cease all contact if you receive a similar email.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry for this late reply but I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails I got from interested buyers after listing the car on Yahoo Autos and Autotrader. The car is in good running condition and comes with a clear title. There is no lien on the car, there will be no monthly payments, no take over payments, just final price. No damages, accidents or scratches of course. I am looking to sell it right away for $7900 (shipping and title transfer fees included). There is a reason for selling it for such a low price but it's just something personal and I'm not willing to discuss it so please don't ask.

I would like to use a third party service to handle this transaction for our both safety and comfort. Yahoo offers a third party service for their premium members only, of course for a small fee. As a Yahoo Autos premium seller I have applied for this service and I'm willing to pay for their fee if you agree using their service. The car is located at the Yahoo shipping center, I am in the military on duty outside the country and have nobody back home that could handle this so I had to leave it there (they will take care of the shipping/payment).
If you are still interested just let me know and I'll get back to you with further details about the transaction.

Scam: Seller is a model

In last week's post, titled "The lengths scammers will go . . ." we discussed some of the stories that scammers create to make their situations seem more believeable. We've received some reports from customers of a new lie that scammers are using. Claiming to be models, we've seen some emails from scammers stating that their careers of photoshoots causes them to travel and need to sell their car on short notice (why they are allegedly offering an unbelievable deal).

Again, we aren't saying never do business with a person who claims to be a model, but we are selling remember the Cars.com safe selling tips if a buyer or seller's story makes you skeptical.

Cashiers checks and certified checks

Online scams often involve sending you a check for more than the amount of the vehicle and then you wiring the scammer the difference between the actual price and the amount of the check.

****NEVER WIRE MONEY FOR A TRANSACTION****

When conducting a face to face transaction, cashiers or certified checks can be an ideal form of payment because there is no means to stop payment on a cashiers or certified check as with a personal check.

What’s the difference between a Certified and a Cashier’s Check?

Certified Checks: A certified check is a check that is “certified”. It has written acknowledgment by the Bank that the Customer’s signature on that check is genuine and that there are sufficient funds in the Customer’s account to honor the check.

Cashier’s Checks: A cashier’s check is a draft drawn by a Bank on itself, which the Bank agrees to honor when properly presented for payment. The Bank, not the customer, signs the check.

Which method is preferable?

There are fewer opportunities for forgery using a cashier’s check. Since there may be problems with either kind of check, if you have any misgivings at all about accepting payment via either, you should call the Bank that issued the check to verify its legitimacy.

Source: www.credittoday.net

Actual Fraud Email

Here's an actual fraud email sent to a Cars.com seller: Thanks for the email. I am interested and would be willing to buy it at that price ($3,500). I have an International shipping agent that will come pick it up from your (HOUSE) and ship to me. I will arrange for payment by sending your full name, address, state, city, ZIP code, country, telephone no./mobile no to my client in the states who is owing me the amount of ($8,000) to issue you a check for this amount, which is a refund for a cancelled order I placed with him, and being a refund the amount can only be written on a single check. I know it is more than the (car) price but after getting the check, I need you to cash it and deduct cost of the (car), then do me a favor of wiring the remaining balance to my international shipper via Western Union. I will also compensate you with ($50) for removing the advert from the net. After this is done and he gets the money, he will then pick it up from your residence and ship to me. So, confirm this and send your full name and address including phone number for mailing the check payment to you as soon as possible. Waiting for your urgent reply, Kind regards. John

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