Not having to deal with pushy salespeople is all the motivation I need to buy a car online. Unfortunately, that convenience comes at a cost, but there are several ways you can protect yourself from shady sellers and online car selling scams.

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Check If You’re Dealing With an Authorized Car Dealer

Scammers sometimes pose as authentic dealerships using fake websites and populating their sites with stolen listings. So, before you move too far into the buying process, I recommend taking a minute to verify that you’re dealing with a legit dealership.

Check if the dealership is licensed and look up reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau. You can also contact the dealership using the number on their website. If you’re unable to find the dealership online or if the contact details don’t match, it’s best to walk away. If you want to err on the side of caution, stick with using popular platforms like Carvana that have verified listings.

6

Reverse Image Search the Photos

A common tactic scammers use is posting photos of real cars that are actually available for sale elsewhere. This makes their listings appear more authentic. You can’t usually tell from looking at the photos that something is off (since these are real photos), but a reverse image search can tell you where those photos came from.

There are a number of reverse image search apps for iPhone and Android, and AI tools like ChatGPT o3 can help you reverse image search and identify stolen images. If the same set of photos shows up on other sites, you know you’re dealing with a scammer. Given how easy this check is, there’s no reason to skip it.

5

Be Wary of Dealers/Sellers Asking for Sensitive Information

Even if the dealership or seller doesn’t ask for money, watch out for any requests they make for your private information, like your bank account details or Social Security number, early in the process. A scammer might tell you they need these details to perform a credit check or verify certain details, but they likely only need those details to commit identity theft.

4

Don’t Fall for Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers

Scammers tend to list vehicles at well below the market price to lure more buyers. So, if the deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably best to just skip it. No one wants to overpay for a car, but an unusually low price is a bigger concern.

For all you know, the vehicle might be stolen or have mechanical issues. There’s also a possibility that the vehicle doesn’t exist at all. So, before you jump at a bargain, take some time to check and compare the prices of similar cars in your area.

3

Don’t Make Upfront Payments to Hold a Car

Scammers, especially those who advertise a car for less, might encourage you to make a small payment to hold the car. But once you send that money, the seller disappears. It’s best to avoid any seller who asks for payment before you’ve seen the car in person and verified that it has no issues.

You should be especially careful if the seller asks you to send money, no matter how small the amount, to a foreign country. Remember that law enforcement agencies may not be able to pursue criminals abroad, so you end up with no car and no way to recover your money. A real dealership or even a private seller with good intentions won’t rush you into sending them money. And if they do, that’s your sign to move on to the next option.

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2

Document the Process

Keep a record of every interaction you have with the seller to avoid problems later. In particular, you want to take screenshots of messages and other interactions, because the seller will likely delete the messages once they receive money or your details.

You should also keep the seller’s name, phone number, and any other information they communicate ready so that you can hand these details over to the authorities, should something go wrong.

1

Don’t Let Anyone Pressure You

Local dealerships can be pushy, but scammers take those pressure tactics to whole new levels. They do this to create a false sense of urgency, which, in turn, stops you from doing your research and making an informed buying decision. So, if the seller you’re dealing with seems overly aggressive at any point during the process, trust your gut and look elsewhere.

While there are many scams to watch out for, don’t let that dissuade you from looking for a car online. It’s convenient not to have to drive from dealership to dealership, and you can steer clear of pushy negotiations. I also really appreciate that I’m not limited by a dealership’s business hours or a seller’s availability. Instead, I can browse listings and compare my options whenever it suits me. Just stay cautious, verify everything, and take your time with the process to have it work in your favor.