Avoid Scams and Fraud

Frauds and Scams Awareness

Internet fraud is a growing problem and website such as koopcars.com is not immune to such problem.

Avoiding Scams by:

·        Deal locally and face-to-face

·        Do not provide payment to anyone you have not met in person.

  • Beware offers involving shipping
  • Never wire funds 
  • Don't accept cashier/certified checks or money orders 
  • Transactions are between users only
  • Never give out financial info such as bank account, social security, paypal account, etc.
  • Do no purchase sight-unseen

 

Recognizing scams:

 

Most scam attempts involve one or more of the following:

  • Email or text from someone that is not local to your area.
  • Vague initial inquiry, e.g. asking about "the item." Poor grammar/spelling.
  • Western Union, Money Gram, cashier check, money order, Paypal, Zelle, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee."
  • Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face to complete the transaction.

Please be aware that Koopcars.com does not provide any vehicle escrow, warehousing or shipping or delivery services. Any seller of vehicles claiming that koopcars.com offers such services is fraudulent.

Because there is no foolproof way to prevent fraud, awareness is the best defense. Please exercise caution and common sense in all transactions involving the sale of vehicles over the internet where you have not personally inspected the vehicle, met the seller and confirmed the seller’s ownership of and right to sell the vehicle. If any purported vehicle seller suggests using an escrow service operated by or affiliated with koopcars.com or directs the buyer to any website offering escrow services provided by koopcars.com or any person or entity affiliated with koopcars.com or that displays our name or logos or otherwise implies that the services are offered by koopcars.com, do NOT send any money to that service. Please help stop this fraud by promptly reporting such communications to law enforcement by taking the following step:

  • File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center [http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx] to inform federal and state law enforcement agencies about this scam. We strongly recommend that you report fraud to local law enforcement as well and to state regulatory authorities that regulate escrow companies in your state. In California, complaints regarding fraudulent escrow services can be filed with the Department of Business Oversight [http://www.dbo.ca.gov/]

The following resources provide information and tips about Internet fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim of such fraud.

Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) OnGuardOnline.gov

California Department of Business Oversight