eBay Motors Scam: How It Works and Variations of It
The eBay Motors Scam is very prevalent these days. It has 7 variations, so make sure you read until the end and protect yourself. Let’s look into it.
As the number of online sales started to grow during the pandemic, only very few things cannot be bought on the Internet. All these items make crooks have more jobs and gain a higher amount of money through various eBay scams.
Used cars can also be bought online. Unfortunately, scammers found ways to benefit from these transactions as well. They seem to be very devoted to creating new tactics when eBay Motors scams are in question.
Watch the video below to see a first variation of the eBay Motors scam:
1. eBay Motors Sellers Without a Car
Previous victims of the eBay Motors Scam have warned people about crooks who sell cars they do not possess. How does that happen?
The scammer posts an advertisement on eBay Motors, pretend he/she has the car, sends photos, and even provides the interested person with fake invoices that seem to come from eBay Motors.
They are extremely convincing, and they make the victims trust them. Unfortunately, the fraud may cost you more than hundreds of dollars.
It is essential to know that you need to go through reviews written by other customers online. You should go through a lot of them, not just a few. Always check whether there are negative comments for your seller.
You must verify the person before paying him/her. You should communicate only via secure online channels that record your messages, such as the My eBay Message Center.
2. eBay Motors Seller Unable To Meet
Another thing that can make you suspicious about the seller’s confidentiality is that he does not agree to meet you in person. Alternatively, he does not allow you to look at the vehicle unless you send the payment first. That’s one of the first red flags that should expose an eBay Motors scam.
They can make up various excuses to convince you that they cannot come to that meeting. The following scenarios are the most common:
- He is in the military and is out of the country.
- He is experiencing a challenging period in life, such as a divorce, death, or family member’s health problems.
- Alternatively, he says that he works on a boat (maybe as an oceanographer) and will not be in the country for a more extended period.
Even though the seller is polite, you should not trust him if any of the cases above apply. Lawful sellers typically suggest meeting with a possible buyer without delay. In case the seller is experiencing real circumstances like the ones we have mentioned and really cannot meet you, he will send another person to show you the vehicle.
3. Price Below Real Value
Whenever you come across a vehicle sold on eBay Motors for a price that is below its value, you should be doubtful about its real condition. By getting familiar with the vehicle’s value of the same characteristics and qualities, you can make sure that something is wrong with that advertisement.
eBay Motors scammers’ main aim is to make the vehicle attractive by offering it at a very affordable price so that you think you are a lucky person.
Unfortunately, it turns out that they just fool you and steal your money.
4. Purchase Under Pressure
eBay Motors scammers are always in a hurry, as they want to get the money and disappear as soon as possible. They will attempt to convince the buyer to finish the transaction quickly.
Also, they will ask the customer to pay through a service that can quickly transfer money to them, and they are the following:
- Western Union
- Direct Bank Transfer
- Moneygram
- PayPal MyCash card
- eBay gift card
- iTunes card
- Walmart card
- RELoadit card
- OneVanilla card
- GreenDot MoneyPak Payments
We want our readers to know that only standard payment methods are cash when you meet the seller in person, via credit cards, PayPal, Bill Me Later, money order, cashier’s check, financial loans, or personal check. You can also use escrow accounts for a secure transfer of funds.
Do not consider it fraud if a seller asks for direct bank transfers and wire payments, but only if you have previously inspected the vehicle.
The best option is to provide payment when you meet to take the vehicle.
5. Free Shipping Always Costs You More
In the majority of cases, legitimate car sellers will not offer you free shipping. To make you believe them, scammers lie that they have connections to tremendous and trustworthy transportation resources.
Never believe them when they give you this reason. This eBay Motors scam is very similar to the trick when they offer a vehicle for a price that is much lower than expected.
It is a common tactic criminals use. It will turn out to be a scam, being that on eBay, the buyer is in charge of picking up the vehicle. Certain eBay Motors Dealers can offer free shipping, but they are advertised on the eBay website.
6. Fake eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection Offer
In case the vehicle you have chosen to buy is not advertised on eBay but any other website, you cannot get an eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection. The bogus sellers try to persuade potential buyers to buy their car under the pretext that eBay will protect the transaction.
You must know that eBay provides Vehicle Purchase Protection, but only to purchases fully completed on the eBay Motors website. If you are a part of non-eBay conducted transactions, you cannot expect to get this protection.
The steps you can take when you want to buy a vehicle on the website and get eBay Purchase Protection is to log into your eBay account and meet one of the following criteria:
- Win the bid on the auction.
- Click ‘Buy it now.’
- Send the best offer which the seller accepted.
7. Convincing Websites and Emails
eBay Motors scam websites will indeed look almost like the original eBay site. This is because criminals devote much attention to details about making their victims sure they are on a real webpage. You can do to ensure that you are visiting an original website to take extra time and effort to look for details. How?
- A fake eBay email has grammar mistakes, and the conversation with them is formal.
- The emails have to be from the ‘eBay.com’ domain if they are legal.
- Scammers’ email will have false information.
If you want to know whether the email is really from the eBay website, you can sign in to My eBay, and if there is the same message in your messages folder, the email is not fake.
Top 5 eBay Scams Video
Watch the video below to see the general Top 5 eBay scams exposed:
eBay Motors Scam: How To Report It
Let your family and friends know about the eBay Motors Scam. Share the article on social media. Also, you can officially report criminals and any other suspicious activities to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) or to the eBay Admin using the link below:
How To Protect Yourself More
If you want to find out the craziest scams every week, subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter. You’ll receive periodic emails. On the same token, educate yourself with some other eBay fraud-related articles listed right under this paragraph, so that you know how to stay safe online. Use the Comments section below to expose other eBay Motors scammers.
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Sarah Hamilton Scam,,,
Hi again,
Thank you for your reply. As I explained in my previous email I was accepted for a new job and I moved to my hometown Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a regular eBay user I decided to use their services. You will have to pay eBay and they won’t give me any money until you receive and test the vehicle for 5 days. The vehicle is at the shipping company, ready to be delivered. We also benefit from free shipping, it will be delivered to your address within 3 days and you have a 5 days inspection period to test and inspect it. Please provide me your information (name, address and phone#) so I can register you as the buyer and after that eBay will send you an email with the terms and conditions, with no obligation on buying it and also they will confirm the fact that the transaction is conducted through them and I’m a legitimate seller. Waiting for your email with the requested details. Thank you.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 8:36 PM DRC wrote:
First of all, my condolences to you on your loss.
Second, congratulations on your new job.
We have something in common…
I just got a new role today about an hour away…
And last year my husband almost died from a
Cryptic stroke in which he had 3 brain surgeries, was
in the hospital for a month. And he still isn’t
back to himself but he is alive.
My heartfelt prayers to you and your family.
Yes I am interested.
How close are you to Katy,Tx?
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Sarah Hamilton
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 7:24 PM
To: DRC
Subject: Re: Your Car
The 2014 Honda Accord EX-L is still available. It is in a good condition, no scratches, no damages, never been involved in any kind of accidents. It has a 3.5L 6 cylinder engine (great on gas), automatic transmission & only 65,400 miles. ABSOLUTELY NO ISSUES at all and I have the clean title in hand. I’m selling it at this final price of $1400 because my husband passed away 2 months ago (he had a heart attack) and it brings back bad memories and that’s the reason I want to sell it asap. I also got a new job, moved back to my hometown, and many other things have priority now, so, this car has to go. If you are interested in buying, feel free to email me.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 7:22 PM DRC wrote:
Hi ,,,
Your brother said that he was selling a 2014 White 4 door sedan for you.
Please send the specs and additional pictures and
Requirements that you have for the car.
Thank you.
R
Sent from Mail for Windows
Facebook originated site-email referenced ebay with all assurances. $800 asked for an $8,000 item.