The Best Way to Avoid Online Used Car Scams

Given the current age of digitization and the coronavirus pandemic solidifying the same, the best place to buy used cars in Fountain Inn, SC may seem like somewhere online. But the mere absence of physical proximity also brings forward the risk of falling victim to the darker side of the internet where scammers dwell. Now, buying a used car is nothing like purchasing a burger. The average price of used cars is around $20,000 and transacting that kind of money with an entity you have never visited is definitely risky. Thus, the best place to buy used cars will always be retail dealerships, where you can visit in person, check the car in person, and complete the deal in person

What typical online scams look like?

First, online scammers mirror actual used car ads and place their hoax ads on popular sites like Craigslist. In the crowd, you will not be able to differentiate between a genuine and a misleading advertisement. You will see pictures of original cars. You will also get a detailed VIN report. However, the only distinguishing factor will be the too-good-to-be-true car price that is designed to rope you in. The scammer will give you a convincing reason as to why you cannot test drive the car. With the promise of home delivery, they will take your money only to never deliver the car at all.

Second, fraudsters are also designing fake copies of listing websites like Edmunds and Autotrader. They are claiming to be escrow accounts that hold the cash on behalf of the buyer until the used car is delivered by the seller. The advertisement looks similar to the above. You are redirected to a fake Edmunds or Autotrader website to complete the transaction. As you can understand, there is no escrow business. The scammer runs away with your money once the transaction is done.

Lastly, claiming that test drives are impossible, a few scam artists are selling lemon cars that are generally meant for the scrapyard. Again, such used cars in Laurens, Fountain Inn, SC, come at attractive prices. You see pictures of different cars in good condition. Upon delivery, you find out that the body is rusted, the car is flood-damaged, or the structural integrity is compromised due to a previous accident. Having bought the car online, you have already signed the transfer of ownership papers. Repairs drain more money than what you paid for the car.

Since 2014, the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has received over 29,000 complaints of online fraudulent activities costing US consumers almost $54 million. The number has only risen with time as more people have come to believe that the internet might be the trusted place to buy used cars.

The only best place to buy used vehicles

Think retail dealership when you are looking for the best place to buy a truck in Fountain Inn, SC. One, they have a permanent address of business with a valid license. If they dupe you, you will at least know whom to sue. And two, a few of these dealerships have a reputation to maintain in the market which they have built for decades. Family Auto of Fountain Inn is such a name. It currently manages a massive inventory of used vehicles, has an accredited financial wing, and holds the fame of selling quality used cars with warranties. There is no scope for big retail dealers to scam you. Stick with this option and stay safe.