When buying a private-party car, protect yourself against scammers by arming yourself with the knowledge and tools to close the deal safely.
DealNow gives you self-serve technology for safe, quick vehicle transactions. Find a car anywhere—finish strong with DealNow.
We’ll help you avoid car-buying scams, spot seller red flags, and show you the safest way to buy your dream car.
Criminals often use false personas while committing car scams. ID verification is your first line of scam defense, and it effectively scares away many scammers. Unfortunately, most listing websites don’t require seller verification, and asking a stranger for their ID so you can verify it yourself is time-consuming and awkward.
When you buy via DealNow, we verify the seller’s identity so you know you’re not dealing with an alias. Both parties undergo verification during account creation, so you can begin your purchase with confidence.
A vehicle history report can uncover scams, misrepresentations, and valuable insights into the car’s past. Scammers pressure potential buyers to skip this important step. You’ll need the vehicle identification number (VIN) to run the report. Be wary of sellers who won’t provide the VIN or make excuses about sharing it.
A proper vehicle history report shows:
DealNow lets you order a vehicle history report right from your dashboard with just a couple of clicks.
A detailed inspection is your strongest defense against misrepresentation scams. A legitimate seller should welcome an inspection and a test drive. Always meet in a well-lit public location during daylight hours.
Beyond matching the car to its listing description, check these key areas:
Even if you’re an auto enthusiast, have a professional mechanic perform an inspection. They’ll catch issues you might miss. With DealNow, scheduling a professional inspection is just a couple of taps away.
If you’re buying a car from a distance, DealNow makes remote inspections simple. Your inspector serves as your eyes and ears on the ground, helping you make an informed choice and buy the car sight unseen. They’ll act as your agent to finish the paperwork and coordinate with a third-party shipping company.
Look for a clean title in the seller’s name, current registration, complete maintenance history, and title details that match both the history report and the car’s VIN.
The maintenance records and vehicle history should paint a consistent picture of the car’s life.
If you spot inconsistencies, discuss them with the seller. Any title problems must be resolved before moving forward.
DealNow’s optional title check verifies the car’s title status and confirms the seller’s ownership. Our platform also provides secure document storage and sharing.
When two strangers try to exchange a car for money, there’s an inherent trust problem: you want to be sure you’ll get the car before paying, and the seller wants to be sure they’ll get paid before signing over the title. This creates a catch-22.
Some people turn to escrow services. An escrow company can hold funds until both parties fulfill their obligations, but the process is slow, complicated, and often expensive.
A better solution is a bill of sale. This legally binding document outlines all transaction details. When both parties sign before exchanging money, you have legal protection if the seller turns out to be a fraud.
DealNow digitalizes the process. Both you and the seller sign the bill of sale right in the app, then proceed with payment. Beyond being faster than printing physical copies, your digital bill of sale is safely stored in the cloud—protected from loss, theft, or tampering. Once both signatures are in place, you can confidently pay.
Many car sale scams are about getting your money without delivering a vehicle. Fraudsters have different schemes to steal your payment, including fake escrow services (more on this below). DealNow eliminates payment risks by transferring your funds directly to the verified seller’s account only after they’ve signed a legally binding bill of sale.
With DealNow, you get the car and finish the deal without any funny business.
Now that we’ve the steps you should take to avoid scams, let’s look at the scams you’re most likely to encounter.
Dishonest sellers often lie about a car’s features or condition:
Misrepresentation scams are the most frequent type of car-buying fraud. Always get a vehicle history report and professional inspection.
Scammers post convincing ads for cars they don’t own. They create urgency with stories (“I’m being deployed next week”) or list prices that seem too good to be true, then pressure you for a deposit before showing the car. Once they have your money, they vanish.
Thieves sell stolen cars to unsuspecting buyers by swapping VINs with a similar legally registered car. When authorities discover the fraudulent vehicle, you lose the car and your money.
The sellers hide problems, such as salvage status or flood damage, by transferring the car through different states or applying for a new title without disclosing the vehicle’s true history. Get a vehicle history report and use DealNow’s title verification to protect yourself against title scams.
Beware of sellers who push specific escrow services. These fraudulent companies look legitimate but are part of the scam. Your money goes to the fake escrow service and disappears—along with any chance of recovery.
When shopping for a car, watch for these warning signs.
One or two red flags might indicate an inexperienced seller. But when multiple warning signs crop up, walk away. There are plenty of legitimate cars for sale.
Imagine a transaction platform that protects you from car-buying scams without sacrificing convenience or speed. We created DealNow to be the ultimate transaction solution for safe high-value vehicle transactions.
After you’ve used DealNow, you’ll never want to buy a car any other way.
Facebook Marketplace is popular for car listings but lacks built-in protections against fraudulent activity. If you find a car you like, protect yourself by meeting at public places such as police stations for viewings, verifying the seller’s identity, and using DealNow to handle the transaction safely.
Start with Kelley Blue Book to understand fair market value. Check online marketplaces to compare similar cars in your area, and factor in the car’s condition and any modifications to determine what you’re willing to pay.
Professional vehicle inspections are necessary. Have a certified mechanic check the engine, transmission, frame, and electrical systems. They can spot hidden problems that could save you thousands in future repairs.
A vehicle history report shows ownership changes, service records, and accidents. Be wary of shady sellers whoA vehicle history report shows ownership changes, service records, and accidents. Be wary of shady sellers who won’t share this information or if the number of previous owners seems inconsistent with the car’s age. won’t share this information or if the number of previous owners seems inconsistent with the car’s age.
Avoid risky payment methods such as bank transfers, wire transfers, or credit card payments. DealNow provides secure, instant payments with built-in protections for buyers and sellers.
If you can’t view the vehicle in person immediately, don’t just rely on photos. Have a professional inspector act as your eyes on the ground. DealNow can arrange local inspections and even coordinate test drives with verified inspectors. Plus, we handle secure payment and bills of sale once you’re ready to buy.
Never share your social security number or other sensitive details with private sellers. Professional scammers might charm you into a false sense of security that leads to careless information sharing. Use DealNow’s secure platform to protect your private data while verifying both parties’ identities.
Financial institutions rarely refund money lost to scams. Unlike fraud, where someone uses your account without permission, scams involve you authorizing the transaction. Always use secure payment methods such as DealNow to protect yourself when buying a car.
DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transact, all in one app.
