Home / Technology / Car Sale Scam: Fake Reports Steal Your Data
Car Sale Scam: Fake Reports Steal Your Data
21 Nov
Summary
- Scammers pose as buyers requesting fake vehicle reports.
- Fake reports lead sellers to phishing sites for data theft.
- Scammers disappear after sellers pay for non-existent reports.
Online marketplaces are seeing a rise in a sophisticated car selling scam. Scammers impersonate buyers, expressing interest in vehicles and then demanding a specific "vehicle report" from an unknown third-party service. This tactic directs unsuspecting sellers to fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate vehicle history providers.
Once a seller clicks the provided link, they are prompted to enter personal and financial information to purchase the fake report. This information is then stolen by criminals. The scammer's true intention is not to buy the car, but to harvest sensitive data through these fake report requests.
To avoid this scam, sellers should be wary of buyers insisting on unfamiliar reporting services or offering more than the asking price. It is crucial to avoid clicking suspicious links and to only use reputable services like Carfax or AutoCheck. Reporting such attempts to the platform and the FTC is vital for community safety.
