Report a
car scam.
Car scams are one of the highest-dollar consumer frauds, with victims losing an average of $3,000–$10,000 per incident. From fake Craigslist listings for cars that don't exist to odometer rollbacks, title washing, and curbstoners posing as private sellers, vehicle fraud is widespread. If you've been burned by a fake car deal, report it here.
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How car scams work — and how to buy a vehicle safely
Vehicle scams rank among the most financially damaging consumer frauds in America. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that odometer fraud alone costs American car buyers over $1 billion per year, and total auto-related fraud — including fake listings, title washing, and curbstoning — is estimated at $4.9 billion annually.
The most common online car scam is the phantom vehicle: a listing for a car that doesn't exist, usually at a suspiciously low price. Photos are stolen from legitimate listings, and the seller insists on a deposit before you can see the car, claiming they'll ship it from another state. Once you send money, the seller vanishes. On Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, these fake listings are epidemic.
Other vehicle fraud to watch for
Odometer rollback uses electronic tools to reduce the mileage shown on a car's odometer, increasing its apparent value by thousands. Title washing moves a flood-damaged or salvage-title vehicle across state lines to get a clean title. Curbstoning involves unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers to avoid consumer protection laws. VIN cloning puts a clean vehicle's VIN on a stolen car. Each of these can cost buyers thousands of dollars and create safety hazards.
How to protect yourself
Always run a vehicle history report (Carfax or AutoCheck) using the VIN. Have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase. Check the VIN on the NICB VINCheck tool to see if it's been reported stolen. Meet the seller at the vehicle location and verify the title matches the car. Never wire money or pay in full before seeing the vehicle. For private sales, meet at a police station or bank. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Where else to report
File in multiple places to maximize impact:
- →FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov — for consumer fraud complaints
- →NHTSA — nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem — for odometer fraud and vehicle safety issues
- →Your state DMV — report title fraud or VIN tampering
- →NICB — nicb.org — check if a VIN has been reported stolen and file a fraud tip
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: