Example of a scam email

 

 

 

"Please note this e-mail is from Auto Trader.

This e-mail was sent to you in order to assure a better communication between seller and buyer and also to help our customers in how to perform a transaction in best and optimal conditions for both parties.

 

Our customer Mr. Steve Woods notified us of his intention to sell a vehicle advertised on our web site and also about the suspicion he is expecting to encounter from his potential buyers. He informed us about his recent change of location to Hungary. The interested buyers have concerns regarding the shipping and the payment of the vehicle.

 

Seller Details:
NAME: Steve Woods
EMAIL: @btinternet.com

Vehicle Details:
MAKE: AUDI
MODEL: A4
VRM: DG56 SWO
VIN: WAUZZZ8EO7A067135
PRICE: £13650

 

We verified the vehicle details following the seller's request and we can assure you of the following: 
 
- Vehicle registration documents are valid, VIN (chassis number) and VRM  (vehicle registration number) match 
- Owner details match the DVLA database (V5 Registration Document serial  number and issue date match) 
- Online ad description and pictures of the vehicle are accurate 
- VRM and VIN not recorded as a 'total loss' by insurers or not recorded as  a repaired insurance 'total loss' 
- The VRM is not recorded as imported, not recorded as stolen by the police,  not recorded as a theft by insurers, not recorded on the security register  as a risk 
- No mileage discrepancy is currently indicated by the national mileage  register (NMR) 
- The vehicle passed MOT 

We could not find any issues verifying the seller and the vehicle. All vehicle details and documentation are accurate.

Also the seller is willing to use a third party logistics firm that will handle the payment and the transport for his vehicle.

Our legal department did background checks on the company indicated by the seller and confirmed their legitimacy and their aptitude of performing the transport and the payment exchange services for this transaction.

The benefits when using a professional third party company are numerous for both selling and buying parties: 
 
- The shipping and delivery are done through professional Logistics Programs with the vehicle insured against damage during transportation
- Payment is transmitted directly to the third party and secured in their account 
- You can easily track the payment and the shipping/delivery while in progress 
- You are entitled to an inspection period after the delivery where you can test and verify the vehicle and also the documentation (with private or professional help) 
- You can chouse not to accept the vehicle if it does not satisfies your expectations or it is not as described 
- The seller has no access to the payment until your acceptance of the vehicle 
- You can ask to be fully refunded at the end of the inspection period if you decided not to keep the vehicle or while transaction is in progress if you decide that you don't want to continue.

 

If you want more details about the vehicle please contact the seller directly by replying to this e-mail . If you have any questions related to the steps to follow or the safety of the transaction please contact the  third party company. 

 

In conclusion, if you consider purchasing this vehicle we encourage you to follow the procedure pointed by the seller as there are no risks involved in this transaction. 

If you want to proceed please contact directly the seller. We do not mediate  any transactions, we only verified the legitimacy at the seller's request. 

 

ATTENTION: Auto Trader does not mediate any sales!"

 

If you receive an email like this, please forward it to our Customer Services team at enquiries@autotrader.co.uk