Craigslist car scam uses fake vehicle reports to steal your money
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Selling your car online should be simple. But lately, more sellers are encountering fake “vehicle report” requests from would-be buyers. Although the sales pitch may seem routine, it directs you directly to the payment page on a site you don’t know.
We heard from Nick K. in Washington, who spotted the pattern in real time.
“It turned out to be a scam involving CarFax type reports when trying to sell a car,” Nick wrote in an email to us. “The way it works is a guy sends a text or email saying they’re interested in your car, but they say they need a car report from a particular service. At first I thought it was just a way for a guy to sell more reports, but after thinking about it for a while it turns out it could be a great way to collect credit card numbers etc. I haven’t been a victim of this, but I’ve had a few examples of this recently when selling a car. There are a few warning signs: ‘Will you accept it?’ cash?’ Questions indicating that they did not read the ad. It offers more than what the advertisement demands. Short, silly first contact. These are the usual signs I look for when trying to decide if it is legal for someone to respond to a Craigslist or FB ad.”
Nick’s instincts are spot on. This Craigslist car tip scam is spreading across Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other online listings.
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Scammers posing as buyers on Craigslist ask sellers to purchase fake “vehicle history reports” from fake sites. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How do Craigslist car report scams work?
This scam usually starts with a message that seems completely normal. One would-be buyer asked, “1985 F150 Available?” He sends a message asking something like. and “Okay, I’m interested in seeing it. When and where would be good for you?” It continues rapidly with friendly but vague questions such as:
When you respond, they establish just enough rapport to appear legitimate. Next comes the installation. The “buyer” says he is serious about buying but wants to see a detailed ASR report first; This is something most sellers have never heard of before.
That’s exactly what happened to Nick K. After sharing the Craigslist link and vehicle details, the fake buyer sent the following reply:
“Automatic Smart Report, here is the link where you can get the documents. Oh, I forgot to ask your name? I’m Richard. Will you accept cash payment? Let me know.”
It sounds harmless, even reassuring. However, the scam relies on getting you to click on that link. The site looks professional and promising “All Vehicle History at Your Fingertips.” However, once you enter your information, you do not purchase a report; You are giving your credit card information and personal data to criminals.
When the seller backed down in this situation, the scammer doubled down, using more pressure tactics:
“If you could show me the Automatic Smart Report, that would be great, because it is the most reliable and complete report. My offer to you is $7,000. I’m fine with that.” Notice that the scammer increased the amount he was willing to pay for the vehicle by $500.00.
They will say anything to keep you busy and make the process routine. But once you pay for the fake report, the buyer disappears. Their sole purpose is to collect your financial information, not to purchase your vehicle.
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Behind friendly text messages, these fake buyers are after your payment information, not your vehicle. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Warning signs to look out for
- Requests for unknown report names such as “ASR”
- Messages that ignore your ad details
- Offers above your asking price
- “Will you accept cash?” Phrases like or “I need to see a report first.”
- Requests to a specific site rather than accepting a Carfax, AutoCheck or NMVTIS report
- General greetings such as “lover,” “brother,” or “friend”
If you see two or more of these at the same time, treat the clue as suspicious.
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These persuasive messages often include things like “I need to see an ASR report first” or “will you accept cash?” Contains expressions such as. to appear legitimate. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How can you protect yourself from Craigslist car report scams?
Even the most convincing buyer can turn out to be a scammer, but these smart moves can help you stay safe, protect your money, and keep your personal data out of the wrong hands.
1) Do not click on links sent by the recipient and use strong antivirus software
Avoid clicking any links sent via text message, email or messaging apps. These often lead to phishing sites or hidden malware downloads. Protect your devices with powerful antivirus software. Run regular scans and keep your software updated to block new threats.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection also keeps your personal information and digital assets safe by alerting you to phishing emails and ransomware scams.
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2) Never enter your payment information on unfamiliar sites
If a buyer insists you use a website you’ve never heard of, stop immediately. Always verify the legitimacy of a site before sharing any financial or personal details.
3) Use a data removal service
Consider a data removal service to remove your personal information from data broker sites. This limits how easily scammers can find and target you.
While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is truly a smart choice. They’re not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data obtained from breaches with information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
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4) Use reliable reporting services
Stick to established names like Carfax, AutoCheck or NMVTIS. These are widely recognized and accepted by genuine buyers.
5) Share your VIN in the ad
Adding your vehicle’s VIN allows genuine buyers to securely run their own reports without your involvement.
6) Block and report scammers
Report suspicious messages directly to the platform and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Sharing details helps others stay safe.
7) If you paid to a fake site
Contact your bank immediately, cancel the card, and monitor your account for unauthorized charges. Taking quick action can prevent further losses.
8) Meet wisely and be careful
When meeting with a buyer, choose a public place with security cameras. Bring a friend, keep your phone charged, and document all communication.
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Kurt’s important takeaways
This scam works because vehicle reporting sounds routine. A fake buyer directs you to a site you’ve never heard of before and then puts pressure on you to act quickly. Slow down, verify, and stick to well-known services. Genuine buyers will accept the report you provide or prepare a report themselves. You can sell safely on marketplaces by following a few simple rules. Control the process, choose the report source and avoid links sent by strangers. Thanks to readers like Nick, more sellers can spot the trap before any money or data is at risk.
Have you ever found buyers pushing weird reporting sites when you sell online? What first informed you? Let us know by writing to us. cyberguy.com.
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