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Fraudulent Offers for eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection
If you shop on websites other than eBay, ALWAYS be aware of emails from people claiming to be an eBay representative. There has been a large increase in reports of fake eBay Motors transactions that originate from automotive sites other than eBay, such as Craigslist.
Fraudsters send online shoppers fake email messages (often using spoof email addresses such as "checkout-e-bay.com," "transactionsebaymotors.com" or other variations that closely resemble "ebay.com") claiming to be from the eBay Trust and Safety Department, the eBay Motors Finance Center, the eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection Program or eBay Escrow Agents. All of these emails are fake and often contain links to spoof websites that look like eBay Motors, but are not. These fake eBay sites may even ask for your personal information and then send you false eBay "Personalized Payment" instructions.
If you are shopping on a website that offers classified ads, always follow the site's community warnings and meet and pay the seller in person. If you exchange emails with someone who claims to be an "agent" of eBay you should be very cautious. Fraudsters often send spoof emails that appear to be from eBay (or one of our partners), but are not.
Sellers asking buyers to send a portion of their payment through Moneygram or Western Union
Fake listings on eBay Motors and other sites may require payment sent by Moneygram or Western Union. Typically, a scammer will list a vehicle for sale at a very low price and ask the buyer to send half the payment immediately using Moneygram, Western Union or bank wire transfer. The listing usually includes an explanation from the seller indicating that they have fallen on hard times and need to sell the vehicle immediately, which is why they are requiring funds sent through these payment methods instead of using PayPal to secure a deposit. The vehicles in these listings don't actually exist. The scammer will receive the payment and never complete the transaction.
To prevent becoming a victim of this scam, remember that you should NEVER pay with MoneyGram or Western Union. Both of these payment methods are prohibited on eBay Motors. Always complete your transaction online by sending a deposit via PayPal or by purchasing the vehicle in person. In addition, please keep in mind that if a deal looks "too good to be true," it usually is.
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Protect yourself from spoof (fake) emails.
Scammers will often send an email that looks like it came from eBay, often requesting personal information. Never give this information to an unverified party. To be sure that an email is legitimate, always check the My Messages section in your My eBay page to confirm that it was sent by eBay.
Never use Western Union or MoneyGram for eBay purchases.
Money transfer services are fast, easy and convenient ways to send funds to people you know. They are NOT designated to be a payment vehicle when doing business with a stranger. If an eBay seller only accepts money transfers, this should raise a "red flag" that this seller may be involved in fraudulent activity. You can prevent such activity by insisting on another method of payment or by choosing not to do business with an eBay Member who is not sensitive to your concerns.
If you decide to pay with cash, only do so in person.
When meeting a seller to pay for an item in person, always remember to bring along a friend and a cell phone.
Always contact the seller when you have questions about payments.
The "ask a question" link can be found in the "Seller Info" box on all listings.
Make sure the vehicle you are buying is covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.
The eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection program provides purchase protection up to $50,000 against certain types of fraud. You are automatically enrolled in the program - for free - when you purchase an eligible vehicle online on eBay Motors. Look for the Vehicle Purchase Protection message in the "Buy safely" section of the vehicle listing. Remember: only vehicles purchased online on eBay Motors are eligible for Vehicle Purchase Protection. Learn more.
If you secure a loan, make sure you're clear on the terms.
Consider using the Financing Center on eBay Motors to secure your loan. All loans offered through the financing companies in the Financing Center cover person-to-person sales, state-to-state transactions, and do not require that the vehicle be inspected.
Always complete your vehicle purchase on eBay Motors.
Complete your purchase online on eBay Motors by placing a bid, buying through Buy It Now or making a Best Offer. If you complete the transaction off of eBay Motors, you won't be eligible for any protection programs. Learn more.
Beware of fake escrow services when you consider using them to pay for your eBay item.
For eBay transactions, you should use eBay's only approved escrow company: escrow.com.
To avoid escrow scams and being deceived by fraudulent email from a fake escrow service, visit the escrow service's site to verify information you received via email. Learn more.
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What eBay Doesn't Offer
Knowing the services that eBay doesn't offer can help you recognize scams and fraudulent activities. eBay does NOT:
- Provide any escrow services
- Own, buy or sell inventory listed on eBay and eBay Motors
- Have any involvement in the actual transaction
- Send links to chat services through email messages
- Inspect any vehicles (although eBay does link to partners who will perform this service)
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If you think you are being scammed, you can always report the problem. The eBay Security & Resolution Center can help you with any problem you're experiencing, including:
- Item Not Received - You didn't receive your item, or you received an item that was different than described.
- Unpaid Item - You didn't receive payment for an item you sold on eBay.
- Spoof (fake) email - You received a suspicious-looking email that appears to be from eBay or PayPal and you want eBay to take action.
- Report a listing violation - You have recently viewed a listing with a violation or prohibited (banned) item.
- Vehicle Purchase Protection - You didn't receive your vehicle, or you received a vehicle that was different than described.
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Buy It Now with PayPal and you may
