Don’t Fall for This Scam!

Don’t Fall for This Scam!

 

Online marketplaces have made it easier than ever to find a used vehicle, furniture, electronics, and almost anything else for sale. They have also created opportunities for scammers who rely on buyers moving quickly when they think they have found a great deal.

One recent investigation handled by The Investigative Group involved an elderly couple who purchased a vehicle advertised through Craigslist. What appeared to be a legitimate private-party vehicle sale quickly became a serious problem.

The couple had limited information about the seller. The name provided to them appeared to be false, and when they attempted to register the vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, they learned there were significant problems with its title and vehicle history.

The investigation involved a practice commonly referred to as title skipping or title jumping.

What Is Title Skipping?

Title skipping occurs when someone purchases a vehicle and then resells it without properly transferring the vehicle into their own name.

Instead of appearing in the vehicle’s documented chain of ownership, the seller attempts to pass the vehicle directly from the previous owner to the next buyer.

There are several reasons someone might attempt to do this. A seller might be trying to avoid taxes or registration fees. In more concerning situations, the practice might be part of a larger effort to conceal the seller’s identity, avoid licensing requirements, hide a vehicle’s history, or repeatedly buy and sell vehicles outside legitimate channels.

For the unsuspecting buyer, the consequences often do not become apparent until after money has changed hands.

The Hidden Danger of Salvage Vehicles

Vehicle title fraud becomes even more concerning when a vehicle has previously suffered significant damage.

A damaged or totaled vehicle might be purchased inexpensively, repaired, and offered for resale. An unsuspecting buyer sees a vehicle that appears normal and receives assurances from the seller that everything is legitimate.

The buyer later learns there is a salvage designation, ownership problem, registration issue, or other information that was never properly disclosed.

Vehicle history services provide useful information, but buyers should never rely on a single database or report when making a significant purchase. Information reported to vehicle history databases is not always instantaneous, and the information available depends on what has previously been reported.

California DMV recommends confirming that the person selling the vehicle is the actual owner or has proper documentation authorizing the sale.

Warning Signs of a Possible Used Car Scam

There are several warning signs buyers should take seriously when purchasing a vehicle through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or another private-party marketplace.

Be cautious when the seller’s identification does not match the name on the vehicle title.

Ask questions if the seller claims to be selling the vehicle for a friend, family member, customer, or previous owner.

Pay attention when a seller pressures you to complete the transaction quickly or insists on cash.

Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the VIN on the title and supporting records.

Look closely for evidence of major repairs, mismatched body panels, recently replaced components, unusual paintwork, or signs of prior collision or flood damage.

Confirm the title status directly rather than relying solely on what the seller tells you.

Keep copies of the advertisement, text messages, emails, payment records, photographs, title documents, bills of sale, and all communications with the seller.

Those records become extremely important if the transaction later turns into a fraud investigation.

When a Scam Targets an Older Adult

Fraud involving older adults deserves additional attention.

California law provides protections involving financial abuse of elders and dependent adults when someone wrongfully takes, obtains, retains, or assists in taking their property through wrongful conduct, fraud, or undue influence.

In the case we investigated, the age of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the transaction raised additional concerns regarding possible financial exploitation.

Unfortunately, scammers often target individuals they believe will be less likely to identify the fraud, locate the suspect, preserve evidence, or pursue the matter after the transaction.

How a Private Investigator Helps After a Vehicle Scam

Many victims assume there is little they can do when the seller used a false name, temporary telephone number, online advertisement, or limited identifying information.

That is not always the case.

A professional investigation starts by examining the information the scammer left behind.

Advertisements, phone numbers, photographs, vehicle records, VIN information, payment records, usernames, email addresses, business connections, locations, surveillance opportunities, public records, and other investigative leads can begin establishing the identity of the person responsible.

In this particular investigation, our investigators developed additional information through surveillance and traditional investigative methods. We identified an individual connected to the transaction and documented evidence related to the suspected activity.

The investigation also identified a connection to an automotive repair facility, which provided another avenue for investigation.

Our findings were documented for potential referral to law enforcement and to assist the victims with their efforts to pursue recovery of their losses.

Protect Yourself Before Buying a Used Car Online

A low price is not worth ignoring warning signs.

Before purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, confirm the seller’s identity. Compare their identification with the vehicle title. Review the VIN. Examine the title carefully. Research the vehicle’s history. Consider having the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic.

Most importantly, do not allow a seller to rush the transaction.

If something about the vehicle, paperwork, seller, or transaction does not make sense, investigate it before handing over your money.

Investigating Vehicle Fraud and Online Scams in California

If you believe you or a family member has been the victim of a Craigslist car scam, title skipping scheme, vehicle title fraud, elder financial exploitation, or another online marketplace scam, preserving evidence and identifying the responsible party should begin as early as possible.

The Investigative Group conducts professional investigations involving fraud, scams, identity development, surveillance, asset research, and other complex investigative matters throughout California.

If you have been the victim of a scam or need help determining what happened, contact The Investigative Group to schedule a consultation.