MOCOBIZ – A Northern California sheriff’s office has reported that a scam, which originated in Southern California towards the end of 2023, appears to have spread to the northern part of the state.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has alerted the public about a scam targeting vehicle sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. According to their social media post, the scam starts with a person posing as a potential buyer and reaching out to the seller.
When the “buyer” arrives to inspect and test drive the vehicle, they usually bring along one or two other people, as per officials.
During the test drive or inspection, the seller gets distracted from the vehicle while one of the people in the buyer’s group looks under the hood. The buyer then informs the seller about a mechanical issue they have supposedly found, which often surprises the seller.
During this phase of the scam, the accomplice of the supposed buyer typically manipulates the vehicle being sold.
The scammer will make a cunning move by offering an unbelievably low price for the supposedly “mechanically troubled” vehicle. In doing so, they manage to get their hands on a fully functioning vehicle at a fraction of its actual value.
To help residents of California avoid falling victim to this scam in the future, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has provided some valuable tips.
1. When meeting potential buyers, it is always advisable to choose a public area for the meeting, such as a grocery store parking lot.
2. It’s always a good idea to bring a friend or family member along with you for the meeting.
3. Ensure that the potential buyer is accompanied at all times during their interaction with your vehicle, including the test drive.
4. If you suspect a mechanical issue, don’t give in to the pressure of lowering the price right away. Instead, take a moment to have the vehicle inspected by a reliable mechanic. Put the transaction on hold until the problem can be verified, fixed, and agreed upon by both parties.
5. It is important to be cautious when dealing with significant “lowball” offers.
When you’re completing the transaction, make sure to fill out all the necessary paperwork at the DMV.
