Car scams
There are a variety of different scams out there - we show you how to beat each one
We round up the most recent scams to help keep you and your wallet safe.
Phishing scam
If you receive the following email, do not click the link. It will take you to a bogus Auto Trader login page, designed to steal your username and password:
“I am interested to buy your car but I am a bit confused because I have seen same car with the same photos on www.autotrader.co.uk, but at another seller and price.”
If you have been affected by this scam, please do the following:
- Contact your bank immediately to stop any payments.
- Change your Auto Trader password so the scammer will not be able to access your advert.
- If this password is the same as your email account password, change that too.
- Send the scam email as an attachment to enquiries@autotrader.co.uk.
View our essential buying checks:
Fake legal compliance emails
If you receive an email from Auto Trader's legal compliance department, read it carefully before buying or selling a car. We will never take part in any transactions between buyers and sellers.
Auto Trader also does not own or sell any of our own vehicles, nor guarantee a sale or transaction.
If you have a query or concern please call us first on 01925 294614.
ID fraud
A piece of direct mail you’ve carelessly thrown away is enough for a fraudster to pose as you, borrow money and leave your credit status in tatters. Follow these top three tips to prevent it:
1. Shred documents which contain personal information before you throw them away. Anything with your name, address and bank account number is enough for someone to steal your identity.
2. If you lose your passport or driving licence, report it as soon as possible.
3. Check your credit report. This shows any recent applications for finance made in your name, helping you to spot any unfamiliar accounts or suspicious debts.
Read more about how a criminal could steal your ID.
Fake verification
There has been reports of a long scam email which claims Auto Trader has been in contact with a seller, and verified the car's documents. It reads: "We have verified the vehicle details following the seller request and we can assure you of the following: vehicle registration documents are valid."
Auto Trader will never send an email stating we have verified the sellers details and vehicle documents.
Fake enquiries
If you receive an email stating you have "3 new or unread inquiries for your car(s) posted on www.autotrader.co.uk," be wary.
If it asks you to "log-in to your account now" and a "quick response will improve your chances to succeed in your business," ignore it. The email is a scam. It will take you to a bogus Auto Trader login page, designed to steal your username and password.
‘Protection program’
There are bogus emails suggesting buyers use “security provided by Auto Trader’s Protection Program.”
One scam claims your money will be protected by Auto Trader – and you'll be repayed if the car doesn't turn up.
Please note Auto Trader DOES NOT offer a Payment Protection Program.
You can read the 'MSN Cars Vehicle Purchase Protection Program' attempted fraud article for more information.
V5C request
This email expresses interest in your car, before asking for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), registration number and a copy of your V5C registration document.
The buyer also asks for “as many large pictures as you have”. They use the V5C copy to sell cloned cars or stolen cars.
You should never hand out your VIN number or V5C document over email.
Low-price cars sold overseas
Watch out for emails advertising cars with unusually low sale prices. These emails provide detailed information on the car, which is often located abroad.
They also pressure the buyer into making a payment to secure the car for a viewing – but ‘the car’ may not even exist.
Premium-rate advert numbers
Some scammers clone existing adverts and replace the phone number with a special premium-rate number. They will never answer a call - but set a pre-recorded message to state the answer phone message inbox is full.
People who call these numbers are charged and the scammers earn commission for every call made.
If you call a number from an advert and continually receive the message, "answer phone inbox is full," walk away.
Credit card requests
We’ve been informed of a company masquerading as autotrader.co.uk, who attempt to defraud customers by asking them to supply website login or credit card details.
The email details an ‘exclusive offer’ to place an advert for three weeks on the Auto Trader website and magazine for £29.99, with a full refund if your car doesn’t sell.
Please DO NOT send any credit card details to their email address – Auto Trader will never request your credit card details via email.
Fake vehicle checks
If you receive an email from a seller saying a vehicle check has been carried out on a car (and the company selling it) – beware, this is a scam.
If you try and phone this seller you won’t be able to get through. If you email the address, you’ll receive an email claiming to be from Auto Trader, from fake addresses such as info@autotrader.co.uk.
Auto Trader will NEVER carry out an unprompted vehicle check on a car – it’s the buyer’s responsibility to carry out a vehicle check – not the seller’s.
False escrow service
These emails claim to offer the services of a financial middleman for car buyers – sometimes referred to as escrow services.
Masked with fake Auto Trader logos, wording and colours, the emails claim they need YOUR personal and financial details by email.
These so-called phishing scams could leave you out of pocket.
How to spot a scam
Be aware of emails which contain:
• Incorrect spelling, punctuation and out-of-place capital letters
• Requests for your password
• Requests for your car's Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) or V5C registration document
• Requests for other personal information such as bank details
Genuine Auto Trader emails will NEVER:
• Ask for your personal details
• Offer escrow or shipping services
• Carry out an unprompted vehicle check on a car – and send you the results
• Ask for your car’s VIN or V5C document
• Request credit card details
• Arrange or confirm shipping arrangements
• Include a ‘protection program’
• Ask you to re-confirm your personal details - this includes your password, identity and credit card details
I think I’ve spotted a scam – what should I do?
Please cease communication with the sender and report the email to us.
If you have any doubts call our Customer Services team on 0845 345 3450 or email us at enquiries@autotrader.co.uk.
Alternatively you can let us know online.
How can I avoid future scams?
1. Try installing anti-virus software with email-scanning anti-phishing features.
2. Check this page regularly for up-to-date information on the latest scam emails.
3. Avoid communicating with potential scammers – report them to us.
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