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Sob stories are often used by scammers to rush a sale, so be wary if the seller tells you one or mentions other circumstances unrelated to the car. For example, if the seller tells you a story about being laid off and needing money quickly to pay their bills, this is a red flag. Other things to watch out for include:  Saying they’re about to be deployed and need to sell the car in a hurry. Claiming they have other buyers interested, so they need a decision right away. Calling you repeatedly to ask if you’ve made a decision. If the seller says they’re handling the sale of the car for a neighbor, elderly parent, or someone else, be cautious. This is often a red flag and it may indicate that the car was stolen. Always ask to see the title and seller’s ID to ensure that the car you’re looking at belongs to the person who is selling it. A seller may also claim to have less knowledge about the vehicle under the veil of this story, which could result in not getting clear answers to your questions about the car. The safest option is to pay the seller with cash, so be cautious if they direct you to a website to make your payment. Sellers will often provide an escrow website address to increase the buyer’s sense of security, but this does not mean they are not scamming you. Evaluate the site thoroughly to ensure that it is a legitimate website. Avoid sellers that claim to be associated with eBay or eBay Motors as well. This is a common scam and they may even send you emails and links to websites that look like they’re coming from eBay. A curbstone dealer is someone who sells a car in front of their house. The person might be a dealer with an actual car lot, but they may move a car to their house and park it out front to increase the perceived value of the car. People tend to be less critical of cars that appear to be being sold by the previous owner, especially if the person lives in a nice neighborhood. If you do decide to look at a car at someone’s house, bring a friend or family member along with you. If you don’t know much about cars, bring someone along who knows about cars. Talking on the phone with a seller is a good way to feel out their character and ask more questions about the car. Ask about the condition of the car, any issues it has, and request a test drive if you’re interested. As an added bonus, some sellers will also be willing to reduce the price further if they perceive you as a serious buyer. If you decide to buy a car from a Craigslist seller, it’s best to make your payment with cash and in person. Request to meet with the person in a public place or at the bank to ensure that you will have witnesses if the person attempts to rob you. Never pay the person using a wire transfer or using Western Union as this is a common scam tactic.
Be especially wary of sellers who tell a sad story. Avoid sellers who claim to be handling the sale for someone else. Research any website that the seller directs you to for payment. Avoid curbstone dealers who suggest meeting at their houses. Call the seller to evaluate their knowledge and professionalism. Meet the seller in a public place to conduct the final sale transaction.