CUSTOMER PROTECTION CENTER SCAM

**ATTENTION DEALERS**

We have seen an influx of phishing emails to dealerships with a link asking dealers to verify their account information. Cars.com will never send an email to confirm account information. Please discard these emails immediately if received. 

If these links are clicked, the fraudster may gain access to your account and could take over your Cars.com advertisement. 

 --Example 1 --

 

 --Example 2--

 

--Example 3--

 

Phishing Email: Would you be interested in my car and cash?

Please do not respond to an email lead from a prospective buyer with any variation of the following phrases:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Would you be interested in my car and $26,000 cash?
You can check the pictures and details at: (phishing URL link)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

This is a phishing scam attempting to obtain your password.  If you received this email and logged into your account by clicking on the link, 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.



Selling Your Car Safely

As we’ve said before, few people would buy a car from a dealer without test-driving it first, and the same is true when dealing with a private-party seller. If you’re selling your car by yourself, it may seem odd to hand your car keys to a stranger, but the process should run smoothly if you follow these tips:

• It's best to meet potential buyers somewhere other than at your home. When possible, bring along a friend or family member for peace of mind, and make sure family or friends know of your plans.
• You should accompany prospective buyers on the test drive. This is crucial; it gives you more selling time, and it spares you the distress of watching a stranger drive away in your car. When riding along, point out all the features you love about your car, including the things you didn't have room to mention in your ad. You've got a captive audience — make the most of your time. Again, make sure family or friends are on hand or know what you’re doing.
• Pre-plan a drive route that allows the buyer to experience a variety of driving situations during the test drive. Give the buyer the opportunity to drive on the highway and in local traffic.

There are other issues for private party sellers, so check out our Advice section for more information on selling your car.

 

Cars Contest Scam

Please do not respond to any email (below) that asks you to claim a cash prize. This is a fraudulent email and is not associated with Cars.com. Please email reportascam@cars.com with any questions.

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

Dear User:

Congratulations! You won $10,000.00 for listing your vehicle with Cars.com.

Please visit www.Cars-Contest.com for more info, and use Ticket Number# xxxxxx to collect your prize.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at support@Cars-Contest.com. When writing to us, please reference Ticket Number#xxxxxx.

Thanks for using Cars.com

Sincerely,

Sandy Ross
Director, Customer Service
c/o Cars.com & Cars Co Uk Ltd
www.Cars-Contest.com
support@Cars-Contest.com

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.

EXAMPLE OF FRAUDULENT EMAIL FROM cars.com Network

Cars.com will NEVER ask you to log into your account to verify your username and/or password via email. We recommend that you log into your Cars.com account by directly going to Cars.com instead of clicking on a link.

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

Please see example below from a known fraudster:

As advised in our previous email correspondence (9-JULY-2008), it has been more than 2 days since you have not confirmed your account to your cars.com Network. Sellers are asked to log in and confirm their personal details at no extra cost to ensure their details and confirm them in order to continue with their account on our cars.com Network.

If you do not log on to confirm account within 48 hours it will be removed from the cars.com Network. To remain on cars.com Network, click on the following link and log on to confrim your account:

This will confirm your account to continue to advertise on the cars.com Network.

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact us via email or by phoning 1-322-601-5000 during normal business hours.

Thank you once again for using the cars.com Network.

Kind regards,

The Customer Care Team

The cars.com Network

Western Union Fraud

Please refrain from using Western Union for ANY transaction. We recommend meeting with the seller with the title of the car.

SAMPLE FRAUD EMAIL BELOW
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
If you really like the car but you don't trust an escrow, I have something SAFE and fast for you because I want you to be sure that you will receive the car and I hope we will collaborate in the future too. You will make the $1900 transfer to my location(Leeds, United Kingdom) but not to my name (you will use your best friends name for example George Bush as receiver's name) so you can be sure that I will not pick up the money until you get the car; so you make a deposit at Western Union and you will give me the transfer's details (SENDER'S NAME AND MTCN) so I can check that the deposit was made.
After I verify it I will book a flight and meet you. Only after you will receive the car and check it if it OK, you will have to change the receiver's name of the transfer to my name so I can collect my money. So until you will have the car in your hands the money will be deposited on your best friend's name at Western Union Agency. I think it is better to not inform Western Union that you will change the receivers name in a few days because it is possible they ask you to pay the fees twice (fees that are quite big for such an amount),also when you go to a Western Union office to make the transfer,please don't tell there the reason you send the money because here in this country I must pay some additional taxes when I receive the funds. Please say you send the money to your friends or to your partner.
If you agree with these terms, let me know and I will be more than glad to start and complete the transaction with you. Thank you and I hope that you will have the pleasure to drive this car.
I am waiting your answer ASAP.
Thank you and kindly regards!

Fraudulent Buyer Threatens to Sue the Seller

Please be aware that we have been notified of a fraudulent buyer threatening to sue sellers. If you receive an email about a buyer threatening to sue you, then please contact sellyourcar@cars.com to report the buyer.
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Here is the sample email:

I have every reason to inform you that we have exercised enough patience with you.My lawyer's suggestion of reporting to the authorities hasn't had any cause to sink in till this moment.We are supposed to exhibit absolute matured approach towards this and that was the sole reason why we even agreed on the terms from the word go.Aside collecting your information for Payment to be sent to you,it is also a form of security for us because that is what we have as evidence of your existence and location.

You have ever since failed to answer me and as such putting me at loggerheads with my client and also making things difficult for me ,booking wise.If you have sold the vehicle,come out open up to us and we can then know what line of action to take.If the purpose of the purchase which is at hand is not met up with,it will also be another case o negligience on your own part as a party to this transaction and my lawyer has already stated this out in clear terms to me.I never thought it will come to this and i have to send this last email to you before we report to the authorities because its now obvious you are sitting on my client's money and daring us to do our worst.

We thank God for our system where the authorities are the last hope ,at least.Have you sold the Vehicle?Do you want to seize our money too?It is left for you to decide where to answer these questions.Good day.

Classified Ventures Fraudulent Check

We have reports of sellers receiving fraudulent checks from Classified Ventures (Cars.com's parent company). Please don't accept this as payment. Cars.com is ONLY a classified listing service and NEVER is involved in payment between the seller and buyer. Please always get a copy of the buyer's drivers license and contact information before selling your car.  Also, it is important to report any buyer who sends you a check similar to the image below. (Please click on image to enlarge)