selling a vehicle

Selling a vehicle is usually straightforward but sellers can be the victims of fraud as well as buyers. So be careful not to let the excitement of completing the sale compromise your safety or your money. Here's a checklist of do's and don'ts

1. PERSONAL DETAILS
   You should be prepared to provide several different ways that people can get in contact with you - email address mobile telephone number or landline.
   
   
2. REPLIES TO ADVERTS
   When selling your vehicle, be aware that thieves can pose as potential buyers. They may ask up front for details of the vehicle or for your personal details and could use this information to create their own fake 'cloned' ad. If they're a genuine buyer, they will come and see the vehicle.
   
   
3. DEALING WITH BUYERS OVERSEAS
   Beware of emails from abroad, offering to buy your vehicle without seeing it and offering to make over-payments. Also beware of bogus shipping or ESCROW companies recommended by the buyer.
   
   
4. INSPECTING DOCUMENTS
   Let the buyer inspect the documents but do not let them make copies or take photos of them. Be aware that mobile phones often contain a camera!
   
   
5. TEST DRIVES
   Always check that the person has a valid driving license and insurance to drive your vehicle. Never let the buyer go on a test drive alone. They may not come back. Don't leave the buyer alone with your keys, and never get out of the vehicle to allow a test drive leaving the keys in the ignition.
   
   
6. PAYMENT
   There are different ways people can pay for a vehicle - cash, cheque, banker's draft or bank transfer. An immediate bank transfer to you can be made using the CHAPS system for a nominal fee, (£20-£30), CHAPS payments are irrevocable. Consider meeting the buyer at their bank and completing the transaction there. Choose the method that works best for you but be aware of the potential issues. Cash could be counterfeit so double check it. If accepting cash, consider meeting the buyer at your bank and paying the money straight in to your account. Cheques and banker's drafts can be fraudulent or counterfeit and you may not find this out until after your car has gone, even if your bank has told you that the funds have cleared. Do not accept an overpayment especially where you then have to refund the difference or make a payment via a money transfer company such as Western Union or Moneygram. Be careful when using ESCROW or shipping services as many are bogus and set up by fraudsters. If you do use ESCROW, make sure it's verified by the FSA and is based in the UK. See the Metropolitan Police Fraud Alert web pages about money transfer, criminal cashback fraud and bogus ESCROW sites.
   
   

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