The scam offers are easy to spot. The buyer will usually be from out of the U.S., have a xyz@hotmail or xyz@yahoo account, and might pose as a "consultant broker" . They might ask for your "best" or "last" price, and be ready to send funds without asking many details about your car. The letters are often poorly written, with bad grammar and spelling. They will offer to send what turns out to be a forged cashiers check, or bad personal check for more money than you are asking for your car, and ask you to send the difference back to them. Your bank might credit your account and make funds available to you before a check "clears" ( is received by, processed, and funds sent back to your bank) . If the check bounces, or turns out to be a forged cashiers check, your bank will hold you responsible and deduct the funds from your account. A safe way to accept payment is to not spend or disburse any funds, and tell your bank you want to be notified when the check clears.

A different scam involves a buyer asking you for your bank routing number and personal account number so they can wire funds. The funds never come and later they try to withdraw funds . Do not give your account number to unknown parties. Instead you can have funds wired to your bank (bank routing number) in your name (without revealing your personal account number). Contact your local bank ahead of time to let them know they are getting the funds.

If in doubt you can ask any suspicious buyers for their contact info, including address and phone number where they may be reached. Scammers usually won't give a phone number. Ask your local bank about safe ways to receive payment.