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I was recently scammed by a car seller on Craigslist. I am posting this paid ad so you can avoid getting into a similar situation like mine. If this is of interest to you, please read on!
The car seller in my case had possession of the car and the title document but was completely dishonest about the car's ownership history, maintenance history and was dishonest about the mechanical faults / issues that were present in the car at the time of the transaction.
Though the seller had the car's title document, the seller's name was not listed as the registered owner in the title document and it merely had someone else's name on it. The seller told me stories that the registered owner was indeed an extended family member and hence it shouldn't be a problem to complete the transaction and transfer the title over to me.
I went ahead with the transaction but somehow found the whole experience very fishy. Later, I reached out to the registered owner (as shown in the title document) and learnt that the seller had purchased the car just a few weeks prior - though he misrepresented himself as owning the car for 14 years. Also, the original (registered) owner wasn't aware that the car was being purchased only to be flipped and resold to an unsuspecting buyer after a markup!
Laws in Maryland and Virginia identify such a sale as illegal (i.e."Jumping a Title") especially where an intermediary individual attempts to sell a car that hasn't yet been registered in their name!
The seller's dishonesty regarding maintenance history and known mechanical issues cost me more than $1800 to get the car ready for passing the Maryland Safety Inspection!
The key takeaway is that in a marketplace like Craigslist, there are really GENUINE sellers and then there are bottom-feeding scammers who take advantage of the trust you place on them. So, buyer beware!
If you are looking to purchase a used car on Craigslist, here's a quick checklist for you.
1. Verify that the seller is the actual registered owner of the vehicle as mentioned in the title. If the seller's name and the registered owner's name are not the same, ensure that the seller has written authorization from the registered owner to sell the car on their behalf!
2. Scammers prefer cash payment and cite multiple reasons why they prefer it that way. Insist only on paying by Cashier's Check (which is as good as to cash). Get the cashier's check ONLY in the name of the Registered Owner and not in the name of the intermediaries!
3. Insist on getting the State Safety Inspection passed or at least get an inspection done at a service center. The safety inspection typically costs $100-$125 but gives you good amount of information about what the vehicle needs to be road ready before you make the transaction! Maryland's Safety Inspection certificate (required for vehicle registration) is more ellaborate and is not the same as Virginia's Annual Safety Inspection Sticker. Ensure that you pay adequate attention to this.
4. Insist on executing the transaction at the State's Motor Vehicle Agency (MVA). Scammers will likely suggest doing the transaction at a private business that provides tags & registration services. This only ends up costing you more and there are no government officials to request help/clarification, if needed.
5. Validate the ownership, accident & odometer history based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Vehicle history can be easily accessed through low-cost service providers. A month's subscription fee $20 gives you the ability to verify multiple VIN numbers. Trying to save $20 and avoiding this background check might end up costing you $100s or even $1000s!
6. Finally, be ready to walk-away from the transaction at any point and be prepared to engage the state authorities, if needed. Always remember that there are MORE GENUINE SELLERS than scammers in the CL marketplace!
It may seem like this is overcomplicating a simple used car purchase. But understand that the items on the checklist are only for your protection and ignoring them may only come back and haunt you later! And it's even more painful when it does!
Hope you found this helpful! Good luck with your car purchase!
