Private number - scam or not?
Discussion
A good friend of mine who's father died acquired his car with the reg 1 GPT. Trying to help her sell it - I decided to put it on ebay to get an idea of market value. I put it at a huge price, but really just for the potential market reach.
I recently exchanged messages with someone who seems credible, but has asked for proof of ownership - a picture of the V5, with sensitive data removed. If I cover the doc number and address is this enough or is there still a way for them to try something?
I recently exchanged messages with someone who seems credible, but has asked for proof of ownership - a picture of the V5, with sensitive data removed. If I cover the doc number and address is this enough or is there still a way for them to try something?
Worth searching recent PH threads about plate transfer frauds.
What is the status of the vehicle to which the plate is assigned currently? If it is not in your name address then don’t give any details from the V5, to guard against potential application of a new keeper to get the V5 and then take the plate off it as you won’t receive the DVLA notification letter.
In any case it will need to be on a retention certificate before you can sell it so once you have that then you are safer against a scam as it can’t be assigned without the reference number. Showing part of the retention certificate without doc rec number is probably safer.
What is the status of the vehicle to which the plate is assigned currently? If it is not in your name address then don’t give any details from the V5, to guard against potential application of a new keeper to get the V5 and then take the plate off it as you won’t receive the DVLA notification letter.
In any case it will need to be on a retention certificate before you can sell it so once you have that then you are safer against a scam as it can’t be assigned without the reference number. Showing part of the retention certificate without doc rec number is probably safer.
macron said:
That's a big auction house plate, not some s
te on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?
+1te on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?Collecting Cars (although they are just 'introducing' buyer and seller and taking a fee, so some added risk/hassle in that regard)
RegTransfers
Brightwells
Mathewsons
One of the posh car auction places?
Panamax said:
chrisch77 said:
Showing part of the retention certificate without doc rec number is probably safer.
Yup, the con-men want that reference number off the retention certificate. Look after it carefully. I don’t know if all of the plate dealers will do it, but one I’ve used a few times in the past offered to sit in the middle of a private transaction for me and effectively act as an escrow agent for a relatively small sum. It’d be worth taking a bit less for it in order to avoid being scammed.
That said, DVLA do have processes through which a misappropriated plate can be recovered by the legitimate owner, even spoke time after the event.
Geertsen said:
macron said:
That's a big auction house plate, not some ste on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?
I’ve seen plates sell on eBay for £30,000+ and this is probably worth half that.te on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?eBay can be scammier than a scammy thing on a scammy day in a scammy place, I struggle to trust it with a hundred quid nevermind 15 or 30 grand.
RSTurboPaul said:
Geertsen said:
macron said:
That's a big auction house plate, not some ste on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?
I’ve seen plates sell on eBay for £30,000+ and this is probably worth half that.te on eBay, what on earth were you thinking?eBay can be scammier than a scammy thing on a scammy day in a scammy place, I struggle to trust it with a hundred quid nevermind 15 or 30 grand.
I sold a plate for £2,000 on eBay and a plate dealer did the transfer for the buyer.
With something like this plate (high value) the seller could list on eBay and use a middleman when it sells. That would be very safe. The plate would do well at an auction house too as previously suggested. Fees would be big though.
Just my opinion, not financial advice
.I guess that in defence of the enquirer, Collecting Cars does request and publish the certificates with the info retracted - e.g. https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/gem-5-number-p...
They generally use the Retention Certificate documents, though - it might be an idea to get it onto Retention and off the car, that way there are no issues WRT the V5C or covert vehicle theft/cloning. It will have to come off if it is being sold anyway, although it will go to the named person at the address on the V5C - so it might be that the vehicle owner/keeper details need to be transferred to the widow or the son first. (I presume DVLA are aware of the death - they seem to assist in such matters so I don't think there should be an issue with transfer of ownership, given the current owner is not really able to sign anything...!)
They generally use the Retention Certificate documents, though - it might be an idea to get it onto Retention and off the car, that way there are no issues WRT the V5C or covert vehicle theft/cloning. It will have to come off if it is being sold anyway, although it will go to the named person at the address on the V5C - so it might be that the vehicle owner/keeper details need to be transferred to the widow or the son first. (I presume DVLA are aware of the death - they seem to assist in such matters so I don't think there should be an issue with transfer of ownership, given the current owner is not really able to sign anything...!)
The phrasing in those emails is very similar to staff I deal with in offshore businesses, so for me it's ringing alarm bells.
For example I've never seen anyone in the UK use 'kindly' in that manner but it's very common with offshore staff in my experience.
I've used escrow.com in the past for domain name sales but I think they'll sit in the middle of any transaction. Doesn't help with scammers just after reference numbers though.
For example I've never seen anyone in the UK use 'kindly' in that manner but it's very common with offshore staff in my experience.
I've used escrow.com in the past for domain name sales but I think they'll sit in the middle of any transaction. Doesn't help with scammers just after reference numbers though.
For that kind of value plate then use a broker.
Many registered plate dealers act as a broker.
They get a deposit from the buyer to show they're genuine. You provide a retention cert to the broker. The broker then gets cleared funds from the buyer. Broker assigns plate to buyers vehicle. Once successful the broker releases the agreed funds to the seller. It's that simple.
A broker would charge £300/500 for this service. If you'd like me to recommend one I can.
By all means show them a pic of the V5, just ensure the name and address of the owner is redacted. For good measure redact any reference number.
Tell the buyer that any potential deal would be done through a broker for the safety of both parties.
Many registered plate dealers act as a broker.
They get a deposit from the buyer to show they're genuine. You provide a retention cert to the broker. The broker then gets cleared funds from the buyer. Broker assigns plate to buyers vehicle. Once successful the broker releases the agreed funds to the seller. It's that simple.
A broker would charge £300/500 for this service. If you'd like me to recommend one I can.
By all means show them a pic of the V5, just ensure the name and address of the owner is redacted. For good measure redact any reference number.
Tell the buyer that any potential deal would be done through a broker for the safety of both parties.
Chris Peacock said:
Geertsen said:
LooneyTunes said:
They’re biting at £100k for that plate???
This to me basically confirms they are not a real buyer. Definitely a scam.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff