*New* "Contact Directly" Fraud Scam - Example of an E-mail Response from a Fraudster

Scam Alert!

A recent fraud tactic being used by many fraudsters is asking potential buyers to contact him or her (the seller/fraudster) directly by e-mail, not through Cars.com. A lot of times the fraudster will explain in the additional selling points that his or her e-mail inbox will mark Cars.com e-mails as "spam" or "junk", resulting in a message about their vehicle that this seller/fraudster won't receive. These type of comments are considered to be suspicious and are associated with fraudulent activity. 

An honest Cars.com seller is expecting to be contacted by us when a buyer shows interest in their vehicle. If you have contacted somebody recently that has included these type of comments within their ad, stop further conversation with this individual as a typical e-mail response from the seller/fraudster requests that the potential buyer engages in transactions through Money Gram or Western Union. Money transfers using Money Gram or Western Union are HIGHLY REGARDED as FRAUDULENT transactions. Cars.com advises buyers to NEVER engage in a Wire/Money Transfer before meeting with the seller of the vehicle.
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Here is an actual example of a response from a fraudster after contacting him or her directly about purchasing his or her vehicle:

From: (fraudster's email address)
To: (your email address)
Sent: (Date)
Subject: Re: (Your subject-- Example: I'm interested in your car!)

Ok

So we have to options:

1: You must find the nearest Money Gram agency and you will go there with a relative, best friend, someone you trust.
Her comes the best part: your friend or relative will be the Sender and you will be the Receiver in Houston,TX.
This way you will have total control of your money, since you are the Receiver you are the only one that can pick them up!
I will be 100 % sure that you are a serious buyer, and that you will be in Houston,TX. because once the money is sent to you, you have to be in Houston,TX to pick them up.
Once you show me a photo or a scan copy of the receipt from Money Gram in the amount of $2,900 in your name, i will fly back home and meet with you and make the deal in person,then you will pick up the money from Money Gram and pay me cash in hand.

2:  Go to Money Gram or  Western Union and your dad,mom,best friend you name it,one of them will be the Sender and you will be the Receiver in Houston, TX!
Once you e-mail me a scan copy of the Money Gram/ Western Union (as proof that you have the money) i will buy a plain ticket and fly to Houston, TX  to ship the car to your address, you will also receive the title, you will have 3 days to inspect, test drive it, take it to a mechanic, after 3 days you have to decide if you will keep it or not! If you will keep it (witch i am 100% you will)
then you will go at Money Gram/ Western Union  and change the Receiver's name with my name so i can pick up the money!
If for some reason you wont like it, then i will ship the car back on my expense and you will get your money back from Money Gram/ Western Union. I am risking here a: plain ticket and shipping fees,
you will risk only $100 Western Union fees!
So what  do you say?
You will inspect the car in person before i get paid, i cannot do more than this...

Please let me know witch one is better for you?

Thanks...
Anthony & Amber Watson
Houston, TX
(713) 568-2857
watson.amber79@Safe-mail.net

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Again, Cars.com reminds all of our buyers and sellers never to engage in a wire or money transfer with somebody that they themselves have never met!

Fraud Toll Free Number and E-mail Scam: Update for Transaction through support@online-truste.com

Any e-mail received with the subject: “Update for Transaction #2994075813” and that lists the toll free number (800) 817-3531 should be regarded as fraudulent.  Cars.com would never ask a buyer to send a money transfer or be a part of the transaction process for a seller's vehicle (whether purchase, verification, shipping, etc.) Any e-mail or phone service line that states otherwise is fraudulent.

Cars.com simply 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.

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Example E-mail with Toll-Free Number

From: Cars Customer Support <support@online-truste.com>

Subject: Update for Transaction #2994075813

To: xxxxxx@yahoo.com

Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 7:07 PM

Dear xxxxx,

We are informing you that our service has been updated and we are providing you the new bank account details where you should make your transfer.

Make the payment via Bank to Bank Wire Transfer using the following bank account details::

Bank name:

Account #:

Routing #:

Name of beneficiary:

Bank address:

Centennial Bank

022109351936

124303065

Marian Popa

18837 Brookhurst Street, Suite 100

Fountain Valley

,

CA

92708

United States

E-mail us support@online-truste.com the scanned copy of the payment receipt Fax the receipt to : +1-877-640-4852 If you have any questions, please contact us at support@online-truste.com . When e-mail to us, please reference transaction# 2994075813.

Thanks for using cars.com, and best of luck with your purchase!

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Cars.com

175 W.Jackson Blvd

8th Floor

Chicago

,

IL

60604

Phone: (800) 817-3531

support@online-truste.com

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Fraudulent Cars.com Ads: Buyer Beware

Attention: All buyers who have seen a car that is priced very low or have had a seller ask to wire money, to transfer money or to send any other type of payment without seeing the vehicle is highly regarded as fraud. Recently, there has been a fraudulent seller who has been posting ads with low prices and asking buyers to send payments immediately for the vehicle. The fraudulent seller has been trying to convince the buyer that he works with Cars.com and uses persuasion to make the buyer believe it will be a safe transaction monitored by cars.com .  At Cars.com, we do not become involved in any transaction or payment with the buyer regardless what the circumstance may be.

Here are some examples how to spot these new fraudulent ads:

The example below shows some of the common text the fraudulent seller uses in his illegitimate ads:

"Please contact me directly at davidgarla222@gmail.com to buy it now. Please note if you will contact me through cars.com message system i will not be able to get your e-mail due my high junk protection. For a sure answer e-mail me directly at the above e-mail address. My phone number that i posted on cars.com is not working properly for moment so please e-mail me your number at davidgarla222@gmail.com and i will call you".

Warning to all buyers: He will change his e-mail and keep the description the same or he will say his phone number does not work and for you to e-mail him. Remember a person who is a legitimate seller would always be willing to share his phone number or post some type of phone number where it would allow the buyer to reach him/her to arrange specific times for test drives and viewing.

If you think you have seen these fraudulent ads recently, or if you think you may about to be the victim of a scam please contact us right away at Cars.com .

Fraud E-mail Warning:Confirmed Payment Invoice for a Vehicle Transaction on Cars.com

Any e-mail received with the header : “Payment Invoice for Transaction ID # CARS-23667670” should be deleted or dismissed, it is not a Cars.com e-mail despite any contrary appearances similar to it.  Also, we do not offer “an online bank that is maintained by our cars.com employees for buyers to use in order to complete a transaction ”.

Cars.com does not have a "Financial Department for sellers nor do we provide sellers with a way to transfer funds for the sale of their vehicles. Cars.com  plays no part in and can not be held responsible for any transaction between buyers and sellers, especially regarding financial transactions. If any e-mail or website address appears suspicious the safest approach to take is contact a representative from the cars.com site according to the subject matter.

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(Click image below to see Fraudulent Attachment in Email)

Fraud Email: Seller Money Wire Scam

Sellers who require their vehicles to have money sent through Money Gram or any other wire transfer company are known to be fraudulent. Cars.com would never ask a buyer to send a money transfer or be part of the transaction process for the seller's vehicle (whether purchase, verification,shipping,etc). Cars.com highly recommends the buyer to meet the seller and to test drive the vehicle before any transaction takes place.

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Below is an example of a fraudulent email

Hello,

dear Mario Fuentes we received an email from the seller Gerard Graner regarding your concerne abouth the legitimacy of this purchase, for your security you will transfer the funds via money gram at one of our agents, untill you will receive the car.

Here are his information :

David Esperon, 12025 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States After you complete the payment reply us at this email, and forward the payment details to the seller at his email address granerc4@hotmail.com, so he can verify the payment and release the car, after you will recieve the car we will release the funds to the seller.

Thank You

David Esperon

Cars.com staff member

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)

Phone Scam

Fraudsters recently have been asking buyers to contact them via phone. We recommend that you talk to a live person before buying a car. Never wire money through Western Union or Money Gram. Always take a test drive and get a copy of the person's drivers license.

SAMPLE PHONE SCAM -------------------------

Hi Recently i got the opportunity to open a franchise in Canada with a partner, so i had to move here for few months.

I have decided to sell the car back in US, because it will cost me to much to ship and register it here in Canada. With the money i will get from selling it, i can easily buy a car here in Canada without spending extra on shipping, registration and other fees.
I had a interested buyer 5 days ago who said he will buy the car if i come back to Texas to ship it, so i got a plane ticket to Texas, and guess what? When i arrived there, he didn't show up and after 2 days he gave me a call and said that he is sorry but he cant buy it anymore because his loan was rejected by the bank!

Now i don't want to buy another plane ticket to come and fall for it once more,maybe you wont show up.

So this is what i suggest,i think this is the best and safest way for the two of us.
You must find the nearest Money gram agency and you will go there with a relative, best friend, someone you trust.

Her comes the best part: your friend or relative will be the Sender and you will be the Receiver in Houston,TX.

This way you will have total control of your money, since you are the Receiver you are the only one that can pick them up!

I will be 100 % sure that you are a serious buyer, and that you will be in Houston,TX. because once the money is sent to you, you have to be in Houston,TX to pick them up.
Once you show me a photo or a scan copy of the receipt from Money Gram in the amount of $3,300 in your name, i will fly back home and meet with you and make the deal in person,then you will pick up the money from Money Gram and pay me cash in hand.
Or, if you are busy or for some reason wont be available to pick up the car from my place, then i can ship the car at your door and you can pay me after you receive and inspect it in person.I will pay the shipping fee and you pay the Money Gram fee.
If you understand and agree with my terms please reply with:"LET'S DO IT":)
Thanks...

Gary S. Newman
Houston,TX
xxx-738-4540
garygary2005@gmail.com

Cars.com Full Package Scam

Cars.com is not involved in the payment process of the vehicle. If you receive any email from Cars.com about payment, then this is a scam.  All Cars.com emails will have a cars.com domain. I.e. reportascam@cars.com. If you see any emails with support@carsbillings.com or payment@carsbilling.com, these are scam email accounts.

Please review sample scam emails below.

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SAMPLE SCAM EMAIL FROM SELLER

Hi,nice to meet you!

I've advertised my car nation-wide (this is a full package from Cars.com for more exposure), and have been overwhelmed by the number of emails I got from interested buyers.

I almost had the car sold but the buyer changed his mind last minute due to financial reasons (loan rejected by his bank), But there is a good part in all this: he sent me 700$ to cover the shipping fee before he got the bad news from the bank, and now he said i should keep it: "this is my way to show my appreciation for your effort" he said.

I must avoid the cheap-chat as I don't have time for it, so i hope i can answer to all the questions you might have regarding my car.

The car is in excellent condition, clear title, the engine is immaculate, no leaks, no accidents, no dents or hidden defects.

Here you have some more photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/garygary2005/Oddyssey1999

The last price is $3,300 no less!

Info on my car:

1999 Honda oddyssey

Miles: 81638

Transmission: Automatic

Engine: 3.5L V6 PFI SOHC

Options:

CD Player, Leather Seats, Passenger Airbag, Driver Airbag Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Seats, Power Locks, Cruise Control

Finished in Canyon Stone Silver Metallic exterior with a Gray leather interior.

Loaded with all the power equipment you'd expect from a luxury van including power windows, dual sliding doors, full leather interior, alloy wheels, CD player, front and rear climate control, rear captains chairs and the bullet proof reliable 3.5 liter fuel injected engine. Safety and reliability are behind the Honda nameplate.

Runs and drives perfectly. No issues. Garage kept and well maintained.

support@carsprepayment.com

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SAMPLE EMAILS FROM CARS.COM SCAM -support@carsbillings.com

Dear XXXX,

This attached PDF file contain the balance invoice details of your transaction with Janus Rogucki. Please print and keep both for your records.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 808-1487 or e-mail at support@carsbillings.com . When e-mail to us, please reference transaction# 81408284.

Thanks for using cars.com, and best of luck with your purchase!

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Cars.com

175 W.Jackson Blvd

8th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

Phone: (800) 808-1487

http://www.cars.com/

support@carsbillings.com

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SAMPLE SCAM EMAIL

Dear XXXXX,

WESTERN UNION SERVICE HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE SELLER, CANNOT BE CHANGED.

Transfer $1,700.00 via Western Union. Deposit must be sent Cars.com Representative Details:

XXXXX

Via Donatello 22

Milan , LM 20100

NOTE: The above mentioned representative in our Agent for the Italy are, your funds will be held in our Financial Department custody from Italy.

Scan and Fax us the second Western Union receipt info at +1-877-350-7457 so we can validate the payment or e-mail us the transfer details at support@carsprepayment.com

If you have any further questions, please contact us at (800) 808-1487 or e-mail at support@carsprepayment.com. When writing to us, please reference transaction# 81408284.

Thanks for using cars.com, and best of luck with your purchase!

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Cars.com175 W.Jackson Blvd

8th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

support@carsprepayment.com

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SAMPLE SCAM EMAIL

Hello there,

I am willing to let the car go for $3,400.00.

For the moment i work in Europe in Italy for next eight months as a family practice physician.

Due the nature of situation and gas being high, I only accept to open an agreement offered by Cars.com (the same company i used to post the car for sale).

The car is in excellent condition, clear title, the engine is immaculate, no leaks, no accidents, no dents or hidden defects.

For CAR INFORMATION, VIN NUMBER OR PHOTOS, JUST ENTER ON THIS LINK:

Please let me know if you're interested so I can provide you with further details regarding the transaction.

Thank You

XXXXX
http://www.geocities.com/teldetel9/honda/Odyssey.htmlhttp://www.cars.com/

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SAMPLE SCAM EMAIL

Dear XXXX,

This attached PDF file contain the invoice details of your transaction with Janus Rogucki. Please print and keep both for your records.

The PDF contains the following information:

- A summary of transaction details

- Payment instructions (needed for complete it with success)

If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 808-1487 or e-mail at support@carsprepayment.com . When e-mail to us, please reference transaction# 81408284.

Thanks for using cars.com, and best of luck with your purchase!

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Cars.com

175 W.Jackson Blvd

8th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

Phone: (800) 808-1487
http://www.cars.com/

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)

Confirmed Transaction Fraud Email

Cars.com plays no part in and can not be held responsible for any transaction between buyers and sellers. Despite contrary appearances, this email was not sent by Cars.com. If you receive an email with subject: “Cars.com transaction 2804659 confirmed!” please refrain from further correspondence with this seller. Cars.com plays no part in and can not be held responsible for any transaction between buyers and sellers. Therefore, we do not offer “Purchase Protection” as stated in this fraudulent email.

SAMPLE FRAUD TRANSACTION EMAIL (Click on Image to Enlarge)
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