Think it won’t happen to you? Think again. Craigslist car scams have cost buyers and sellers thousands of dollars—and in some cases, even their safety. These real-life horror stories expose just how far scammers will go. More importantly, they offer valuable lessons so you can avoid becoming the next victim.
🚩 Story #1: The Fake eBay Motors Scam
What happened: Mike, a buyer in Illinois, found a 2017 Toyota Tacoma listed for $8,000—well below market price. The seller claimed her husband had died, she was relocating to a military base, and the car was already with eBay Motors “ready to ship.”
Mike received a legitimate-looking email from “eBay Motors” instructing him to wire the payment via Walmart gift cards. He did. The truck never arrived. The email and listing disappeared.
💡 What we can learn:
- eBay Motors does NOT handle private Craigslist transactions
- Gift cards are always a scam payment method
- Stories involving urgency or tragedy are red flags
🚩 Story #2: The Overpayment & Fake Shipping Company
What happened: Sarah listed her car for $5,200. A “buyer” from out of state agreed to buy it sight-unseen and sent a cashier’s check for $6,800 to cover the car and shipping. He asked Sarah to forward the extra $1,600 to his “shipping company.”
She deposited the check, saw it “cleared,” and wired the $1,600. A few days later, her bank reversed the deposit—it was a fake check. The $1,600 was gone.
💡 What we can learn:
- Never accept overpayments
- Never send money to third parties on a buyer’s behalf
- Cashier’s checks can be forged—verify with the issuing bank first
🚩 Story #3: The Stolen Vehicle with Clean Title
What happened: Jason bought a used Honda Accord with a “clean title” for $4,000. The seller seemed legitimate and even showed ID. Months later, police towed the car—VIN didn’t match the title. It had been stolen and “washed” through a forged title. Jason lost the car and the money.
💡 What we can learn:
- Always verify VIN on the car matches the title and registration
- Use NICB VIN Check or CARFAX
- If price is too good to be true, it usually is
🚩 Story #4: The Identity Theft Setup
What happened: Emily was selling her Jeep and got a message from a buyer who wanted to “run a VIN report first.” He sent a link to a professional-looking VIN website. She paid $25 and entered personal info. Two weeks later, her bank accounts were compromised, and her credit was frozen.
💡 What we can learn:
- Scammers use fake VIN report sites to steal identity
- Use only trusted services like CARFAX, AutoCheck, or NMVTIS
- Never enter sensitive data on websites you didn’t find yourself
🚩 Story #5: The Armed Robbery Test Drive
What happened: Bryan listed his sports car and agreed to meet a buyer in a quiet parking lot after dark. During the test drive, the buyer pulled a weapon and forced Bryan out of the car. The vehicle was never recovered.
💡 What we can learn:
- Never meet buyers after dark or in isolated areas
- Use police-monitored “Safe Exchange Zones” if possible
- Bring someone with you and never ride alone with a stranger
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Craigslist Scam Victim
- ✅ Always verify VIN, title, and ID
- ✅ Only use cash or verified in-person payments at a bank
- ✅ Meet in public, daylight, safe areas
- ✅ Don’t let emotions override logic—urgency is a manipulation tool
- ✅ Use official tools: CARFAX, IC3.gov, NICB, state DMV
Final Thoughts: Learn from Their Mistakes—Don’t Repeat Them
Craigslist can be a useful tool for car buying and selling—but only if you protect yourself at every step. These horror stories are real. The money lost was real. But they don’t have to be your story. Now you know better—use that knowledge wisely.
Trust your gut. Verify everything. And never rush into a deal.