The Carson City Sheriff's Office says that as online car sales grow in popularity, so do the risks of fraudulent scams and advises people to be on alert.
CCSO says that many residents of Carson City and throughout Nevada have already been victims of such scams and hopes to raise awareness by providing some tips to help residents avoid becoming victims.Â
Deputies say that some common scenarios used in online car sale scams include the following:Â
- Too good to be true pricing: cars priced significantly lower than market value may indicate a scam.
- Requests for upfront payments: fraudsters often ask for wire transfers or prepaid gift cards before buyers see the car in person.
- Fake listings: scammers steal photos and descriptions from legitimate listings to create fraudulent posts.
- Nonexistent cars: some scammers advertise cars that don’t exist and fabricate stories to avoid in-person meetings.
Deputies say that the following tips can help residents avoid becoming the victim of a scam:
- Research the seller: verify the seller’s identity and check reviews on the sales platform.
- Insist on in-person transactions: inspect the car in person before paying.
- Avoid wire transfers: use secure payment methods that offer fraud protection such as credit cards or escrow services.
- Verify the car's history: use the VIN to check the history through trusted services.
If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an online car sale, you can report it to the Carson City Sheriff's Office directly at (775) 887-2500, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the website where the car listing was originally posted.
If you believe you have been a victim of a crime, you are encouraged to call 911 or the Carson City Dispatch non-emergency line at (775) 887-2008.
