Selling your car online can attract unwanted attention from scammers, and a prevalent tactic involves fake buyers requesting vehicle history reports from dubious websites. You might receive a call or text from someone expressing interest in your car, but with a condition: you must first provide a car history report from a specific website they recommend. This request often requires you to pay around $20 via credit card to access the report, which you then send to the supposed buyer, only to be met with silence. Is this “global car scan” request legitimate, or is it a scam? Let’s delve into how this scam operates and how to protect yourself.
Understanding the Car History Report Scam and the .vin Deception
These scam websites often employ a clever trick using website addresses ending in ‘.vin’. This domain extension is intentionally misleading, playing on the association with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Scammers hope you’ll mistakenly believe the ‘.vin’ domain is officially related to vehicle information. In reality, ‘.vin’ is a generic domain, like ‘.com’ or ‘.org’, originally intended for websites related to wine (“vin” being French for wine). However, it’s open for general use, allowing scammers to exploit this confusion to appear legitimate in the automotive context. Therefore, any request urging you to use a website ending in ‘.vin’ for car-related business should be treated with extreme caution.
Risks of Falling for Car Scan Scams
The primary goal of these “global car scan” scams is often to steal your personal and financial information. By directing you to these fake car history report websites, scammers can obtain your credit card details and other personal data when you pay for the useless report. In some instances, these sites may also function as lead generators, collecting your information under the guise of providing a car history report and then selling it to third parties for marketing and advertising purposes. You end up paying for a report that is likely worthless, while also exposing yourself to potential identity theft and unwanted marketing spam.
How to Protect Yourself from Vehicle History Report Scams
When selling your car online, vigilance is key. If a potential buyer insists on a car history report from a website you are unfamiliar with, especially one ending in ‘.vin’, be skeptical. Always question their motives and think twice before proceeding. To ensure you’re using a trustworthy source for vehicle history information, it’s best to rely on reputable platforms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends using the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) at vehiclehistory.gov for approved vehicle history report providers. While not all reports are available through NMVTIS, it’s a safe starting point.
For additional peace of mind, consider researching the company requesting the report. A simple online search using the company name along with terms like “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam” can reveal valuable insights and warn you of potential fraudulent activities. Protecting your personal and financial information is paramount when selling your car online. By being informed and cautious, you can avoid falling victim to “global car scan” and other vehicle history report scams.
