Selling a car, car identity theft precautions

[jmedwards]

Hi folks,

I am selling my car (my first private sale). I have been asked by someone for the reg number, VIN and chassis number by email in order to verify what comes up on a HPI check.

Is it safe to provide all of this information to people who ask for it?

[trixyD]

Sounds like he's doing a thorough check to me mate, I wouldn't be too worried.

[jmedwards]

trixyD said:

Sounds like he's doing a thorough check to me mate, I wouldn't be too worried.

Thanks for the reply. I asked because Auto Trader suggests never giving out the VIN over email as scammers may want to use it in order to scam others, or something along those lines. However, anyone can walk up to my car and copy the VIN anyway, but just thought I'd check.

I was also dubious because this is a £19k car under three years old, and he asked:

the guy said:

i will like to buy your car, can you tell me if the car have valid mot and road tax? any service history?

Might put my tinfoil hat away!!

[anonymous-user]

You are being scammed - look at the language.

[trixyD]

Nothing wrong with being cautious mate!
The M.O.T question had me chuckling though, maybe he's either young, and inexperienced or just an idiot?

[anonymous-user]

Ordinarily, it is fine to give out the info requested, but the email wording you quote is common place in scammy emails. No one would sensibly ask if a sub-three year old 19K car had service history. They would instead ask to see the car and the history.

Show us the whole email so we can opine further.

[trixyD]

Breadvan72 said:

You are being scammed - look at the language.

My advice is just be cautious, and if you don't want to give something out then don't. If he's legit he will understand.
Bad grammer doesn't always mean scammer though.

[anonymous-user]

Has the bloke offered to buy at asking price without viewing? If so, that suggests scammitudinosity. It wouldn't for a shed, but for a 19k car, it does.

[jmedwards]

Breadvan72 said:

You are being scammed - look at the language.

In my head, I know it. But then I thought 'gosh, that's incredibly snobbish of me to think "£19k to spend on a car and he can't even write properly", footballers aside'. Got all ashamed with myself and tried to think more positively

Thanks for the input guys. Not giving him this info (or any other party until they prove their seriousness) over email.

Edited by jmedwards on Monday 8th October 13:53

[jmedwards]

Breadvan72 said:

Has the bloke offered to buy at asking price without viewing? If so, that suggests scammitudinosity. It wouldn't for a shed, but for a 19k car, it does.

FWIW, he hasn't - I'm not that naive (I hope, but I'll cross-check everything in here first ).

[anonymous-user]

Maybe I am too hasty. How does he prove seriousness? Can you show us more of the email?

PS: PH shows that poor literacy skills are no bar to owning a flash motaaah.

[Captain Muppet]

Breadvan72 said:

PS: PH shows that poor literacy skills are no bar to owning a flash motaaah.

Oh yes.

[jmedwards]

Breadvan72 said:

Maybe I am too hasty. How does he prove seriousness?

This guy hasn't yet. I am saying that I'll only give that information out (VIN, reg) when I have a better sense of their serious interest.

Plenty more fish in the sea who I presume will solicit a bit more trust from me. Thanks again for the replies.

Email thread included just for your interest...

the guy said:

Message:
" Hi,

i will like to buy your car, can you tell me if the car have valid mot and road tax? any service history?
"

me said:

Hello,

>> can you tell me if the car have valid mot and road tax

As the car is under three years old, it is exempt from MOT. It has road tax until April 2013. It has a full dealer service history and a year left on the VW service plan (free servicing, oil change and consumables).

the guy said:

Hi,

I am very interested in this car. Is there a full service history (documented) and is it hpi clear?
does it have the v5 document and is registered in your name?
Please provide me with Reg # and the vin number also (chassis number, 17 characters) so i can run a FULL HPI check on it.If everything checks out you have a cash buyer.
when is the best time for view?

Thank you!

me said:

Hi the guy,

>> Is there a full service history (documented) and is it hpi clear?

There is a full documented service history (also detailed in the ad). It is HPI clear.

Unfortunately, I wont be accepting cash for this transaction; BACs/bank transfer only. If you're unable to pay by bank transfer, then I am unable to proceed.

Thanks for your interest.

the guy said:

yes i can pay by wire transfer , there is no problem, can i have the brm and vin number so i can do my checks

Regards,

the guy

me said:

Hi the guy,

I am afraid I won't provide any further information at this point because (and I really regret sounding rude here), your email is kind of synonymous with what a not-seriously-interested party might use.

If you'd have read the ad, you'd have seen the detailed service history. If you know the kind of car you'd be buying (and I'd hope you do as the asking is £19k!), you'd know that cars under three years of age do not need an MOT.

If you would like to come and inspect the car and check out these details in person, I'm more than happy to arrange a visit and viewing.

Once again, I am sorry if this sounds rude but I am sure you know that we can't be too careful online these days.


Thanks,

Edited by jmedwards on Monday 8th October 14:03

Edited by jmedwards on Monday 8th October 14:04

[S2Mike]

Sounds fair to me.
If he is genuine he will understand this.
Plus I would like to see the car myself before agreeing to buy it for 19k.

[trixyD]

Yeah sounds like you've done the right thing. If he was actually serious surely he would phone, if he can't be arsed with that then move on.

[anonymous-user]

The emails look mucho scammoso to me. I am not suspicious minded, but I think you are wise to be cautious here.

Some scammers are reported to collect cars against a bank transfer, which is then reversed. I do not know if this really happens much.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/safety-...

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 8th October 14:14

[IATM]

I have to say over the last year I have purchased/sold 3 cars as I get bored easily and one was due to circumstances.

I find it madness that someone would not provide this information to a genuine buyer. I contact many people via email through ebay, autotrader, pistonheads and gumtree and I do so as my work is so busy that it makes it much easier for me to getback to them.

Anyone who has ever asked me for, VIN number, previous MOT serial numbers, Log Book serial number, service history etc I always provide it.

I think providing a VIN, registration is a basic. you do any HPI check on the internet and the basic it asks you is a registration and then a VIN to see if it matches up with the registration.

Don't see how people expect to sell a car without allowing a potential buyer to protect themselves buy doing basic checks on the car.

I understand you also need to protect yourself however it works both ways

[anonymous-user]

I agree, and am happy to provide info when negotiating to sell a car. The emails in this example strike me as dodgy, but I may be misjudging.

[g3org3y]

Seems illiterate. Ignore.

[MarJay]

I'd be asking for cash and NOT a bank transfer if I wanted to avoid a scam...