The Craigslist car scam uses fake vehicle reports to steal your money
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Selling your car online should be simple. However, recently, more sellers are encountering fake “Vehicle Report” requests from purported buyers. The presentation seems routine, but it leads directly to the payment page on a site you don’t know.
We heard from Nick K. From Washington, who discovered the pattern in real time.
“In trying to sell a car, it became apparent that there was a scam involving CarFax type reports,” Nick wrote in an email to us. “The way it works is the guy sends you texts or emails saying he’s interested in your car, but they say they have to have a car report from a certain service. At first, I thought it was just a way to sell more reports, but after thinking about it for a while, it seems like it could be a great way to collect credit card numbers, etc. I’ve never been a victim of this, but while selling a car recently, I encountered several examples of this. There are several warning signs: ‘Do you accept? in cash? Questions indicating that they did not read the ad. Offering more than what the ad asks for. The first short contact is meaningless. These are just the usual signs I look for when I’m trying to determine if someone responding to a legitimate Craigslist or FB ad.”
Nick’s instincts are spot on. This car report scam spread through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other online classified ads.
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Scammers posing as buyers on Craigslist ask sellers to purchase fake “vehicle history reports” from fraudulent sites. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
How the Craigslist Car Report Scam Works
This scam often starts with a message that appears completely normal. The buyer is supposed to send a text asking something like “1985 F150 available?” He quickly follows this up with friendly but vague questions like, “Well, I’m interested in seeing it. When and where would it be useful to you?”
Once they respond, the “buyer” develops enough of a relationship to appear legitimate. Then comes the setup. The “buyer” says they are serious about buying but want to see a detailed ASR report first, something most sellers have never heard of.
And that’s exactly what happened to Nick K. After he shared the Craigslist link and car details, the fake buyer sent this response:
“Automatic Smart Report, this is the link where you can get the papers. Oh, I forgot to ask your name? I’m Richard. Do you accept cash? Tell me.”
It seems harmless, even reassuring. But the scam hinges on getting you to click on that link. The site looks professional, promising “The complete vehicle history at your fingertips.” However, once you enter your information, you are not purchasing a report; You are handing over your credit card details and personal data to criminals.
When the seller, in this case, backed out, the scammer redoubled his efforts using more pressure tactics.
“If you could show me the smart automatic report, that would be great, because it’s the most reliable and complete report. My offer to you is $7,000. I have no problem with that.” Notice that the scammer has just increased the amount he is willing to pay for the car by $500.
They will say anything to keep you engaged and make the transaction routine. But the moment you pay for the fake report, the buyer disappears. Its sole purpose is to collect your financial information, not to buy your car.
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Behind the friendly text messages, these fake buyers are after your payment information, not your car. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Warning signs to watch out for
- Requests for unknown report names such as “ASR”
- Messages that ignore your ad details
- Offers higher than your asking price
- Phrases like “Do you accept cash?” Or “I just want to see the report first”
- Require a specific location instead of accepting a Carfax, AutoCheck, or NMVTIS report
- General greetings such as “dear,” “brother,” or “friend”
If you see two or more of these items at once, treat the bullet as suspicious.
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These persuasive messages often include phrases like “I just want to see the ASR first” or “Will you accept cash?” To appear legitimate. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
How to Stay Safe from Craigslist Car Report Scams
Even the most convincing buyer may turn out to be a scammer, but these smart moves can help you stay safe, protect your money, and keep your personal data out of the wrong hands.
1) Do not click on links sent by the buyer, and use powerful antivirus software
Avoid clicking on any link sent via text, email, or messaging apps. This often leads to phishing sites or hidden malware downloads. Keep your devices protected with powerful antivirus software. Run regular scans and keep your software updated to prevent new threats.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, and potentially access your private information, is to install strong antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
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2) Never enter payment information on unfamiliar sites
If the buyer insists on using a website you’ve never heard of, stop immediately. Always check the legitimacy of the site before sharing any financial or personal details.
3) Use a data removal service
Consider a data removal service to remove your personal data from data broker sites. This limits how easily scammers can find and target you.
While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data removal service is truly a smart choice. It’s not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by systematically monitoring and scraping your personal information from hundreds of websites. This gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to clear your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data from breaches to information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
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4) Use reliable reporting services
Stick to well-known names like Carfax, AutoCheck, or NMVTIS. These are widely recognized and accepted by genuine buyers.
5) Share your VIN number in the ad
Including your vehicle’s VIN number allows genuine buyers to safely run their own reports without your involvement.
6) Block and report scammers
Report suspicious messages directly to the platform and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Sharing details helps others stay safe.
7) If you pay on a fake website
Contact your bank immediately, cancel the card and monitor your account for any unauthorized charges. Quick action can prevent further loss.
8) Play smart and be careful
When meeting with the buyer, choose a public place with security cameras. Bring a friend, keep your phone charged, and document all communications.
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Key takeaways for Kurt
This scam works because the vehicle report appears routine. The fake buyer drives you to a site you’ve never heard of, then pressures you to act quickly. Slow down, check, and stick with reputable services. Real buyers will accept the report you provide or they will manage it themselves. You can still sell safely on the markets by following a few simple rules. Control the process, choose the source of the report, and avoid links sent by strangers. Thanks to readers like Nick, more sellers can spot the trap before any money or data is at risk.
Have you seen buyers pay individual reporting sites when selling online? What did he tell you first? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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