Used car scam spotter
Is this car listing a scam? Answer a few questions about the ad, the seller and the paperwork, and see how many warning signs you have. One clear sign, such as being asked to pay before you have seen the car, is enough to walk away.
0 of 15 checked, 0 warning signs
The listing
The price is far below similar cars
Scammers use a low price to get you to act before you think.
The photos look like they came from somewhere else
Search the photo online. Stock images, a dealer's photos, or an old sale for the same car are warnings.
The ad is vague or reads like a template, with few details about the car
The car is somewhere you cannot go to see it
What the seller says and does
The seller has a reason they cannot meet: they are away, deployed, moving, or a company will ship the car
Real sellers can show a car. Shipping stories are among the most common scams.
You are asked to send a deposit or full payment before you have seen the car
This is the clearest sign. Do not send money for a car you have not seen.
They want a payment method that cannot be reversed: gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire or e-transfer to a stranger
They send a link to a payment, escrow or buyer-protection site you have not heard of
Fake sites copy real marketplaces. Check the web address carefully, or better, do not use it.
They rush you: other buyers are waiting, or the price is only good today
They want to move the conversation off the marketplace to text, email or a messaging app right away
They ask for a verification code that was sent to your phone
That code can let them take over your accounts. Never share it.
The car and the paperwork
The seller will not give you the VIN, or it does not match the car or the ad
The name on the ownership does not match the seller, and there is no clear reason
A history report shows something the seller did not mention
The seller will not let a mechanic inspect the car
The warning signs you marked
No warning signs marked yet. Answer the questions above about the listing you are looking at.
Keep going with Uobo
Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:
You can edit this text before you send it.
On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.
How it works
For each question, tap Yes, I saw this, or No. The tool counts the warning signs and gives a read: none so far, be careful, or this looks like a scam. Your privacy comes first. Your answers stay on this device.
The signs are the ones that appear again and again in car scams on online marketplaces: prices far below the market, sellers who cannot meet, payments that cannot be reversed, and pressure to act fast.
A listing with no warning signs is not proven safe. Verify the VIN, see the car in person and pay safely.
What this does not cover
- A count of warning signs is a guide, not a verdict. Some scams show none of these signs, and an honest seller can show one or two.
- It cannot check a listing for you. It only helps you think about what you have seen. The questions to ask a private car seller list gives you the next things to ask.
- If you have been scammed, contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and report the listing to the marketplace.
Common questions
How can I tell if a used car listing is a scam?
Warning signs include a price far below similar cars, a seller who cannot meet or show the car, a request for money before you have seen it, a payment method that cannot be reversed, and pressure to decide quickly.
Is it safe to send a deposit for a car I have not seen?
No. Do not send a deposit or any payment for a car you have not seen in person. A deposit is the most common way these scams take your money.
What is the safest way to pay for a used car from a private seller?
A bank draft or a transfer made at the bank, handed over only when the paperwork is signed and the car is in front of you. Avoid cash in a stranger's car, gift cards, cryptocurrency and any 'escrow' site the seller picks.
What should I do if I think a listing is a scam?
Stop replying, send no money, and report the listing to the marketplace. If you lost money, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.