Fraud awareness suggestion

Because there is no way to prevent fraud, being aware is often your only line in defense. That is why we have listed some basic steps or tips below, always use your best judgment in all transactions. Also, if it is too good to be true it usually is.

At NCL.com we don’t own, buy or sell vehicles that are listed on our site. Nationalcarlister.com is an online vehicle listing service that connects car buyers with sellers nationwide. We are not car dealers. Any listing information about a particular car comes directly from dealers and or individuals. If you receive an email that implies we're selling or buying your vehicle, please report it to us and to law enforcement. This is a scam and we want to know.

Here’s how to Report Fraud

If you receive a suspicious email, let us and law enforcement know right away.

We strongly recommend that you firstly report any fraud to the IFCC immediatly for reviewal. To do so, follow this link here: http://www.ic3.gov

Also, if you have experienced any wrong doing by a dealer, please contact the BBB by clicking here: http://www.bbb.org

First: Forward any suspicious emails to us immediately at fraudawareness@nationalcarlister.com. Don't change the subject line or send it as an attachment-doing so could prevent us from identifying trends and preventing similar scams. A representative will be in contact with you within 24 hrs.

Second: Be sure to file a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center to inform federal and state law enforcement agencies. Lastly, report the fraud to local law enforcement.

Third: On every vehicle listing page we have set up a "Report this Listing" button. On any listing that looks fraudulent please click this button to alert our staff so we can review it for removal

We recommend that you report fraud to law enforcement first. We investigate all reports in an effort to protect our customers against future fraud in the future. However, it is unlikely we can help you get your money back or even arrest those who committed the act of crime.

Common-Sense Advice for Sellers

Selling a car online is a lot like selling a car through a classified ad in the newspaper. You still need to beware of those fraudulent inquires. Confirm contact information Be particularly wary of buyers willing to purchase your car sight-unseen, especially buyers located overseas. Always verify the buyer's street address and phone number to assure a safe transaction. Secure payment first Do not transfer the title until you have payment in hand at the agreed upon price. Verify that a certified check is genuine Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn't cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account. Bank Checks or Cashier checks Before you accept either form of these payment options please keep in mind that even though you physically holding one of these in your hand that the purchaser can void or report it stolen and there for the check is worthless so do not hand over title until you verify it is good. Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes Don't agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the sale price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any buyer who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the buyer.

Common-Sense Advice for Buyers

Buying a vehicle you find online is a lot like buying a car through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment. Also, use good judgment “if it is too good to be true it usually is”.

Know the vehicles market value

Be suspicious of a vehicle priced significantly below market value.

Obtain a vehicle history report

A vehicle history report can provide useful information, such as who holds the title to the car and whether the car has been in an accident reported to authorities. You'll also find out whether the car was ever reported stolen, salvaged or damaged.

Inspect the car

Schedule an inspection with a professional mechanic or an inspection service if the vehicle is not in your area. An early inspection can help you identify problems. However, keep in mind that an inspection isn't a warranty and won't guarantee a car is free from defects or that inspectors have identified all existing problems.

Confirm contact information

Before you send payment, verify the seller's street address and phone number- an email address is not enough. ZIP codes, area codes and addresses should match up. Be wary if the seller is located overseas. And if possible always do the transaction in person.

Use email wisely

Avoid sending sensitive personal or financial information (such as your social security number, credit card number or checking account number) to a seller via email. Remember that email communications are not secure and can be easily forwarded to others.

Get a detailed receipt

Ask the seller for a receipt that states whether the vehicle is being sold with a warranty or "as is." If it states “as is” there will be no recourse for you in the lemon law.

Get title to the vehicle

Make sure you know what's required in your state to transfer title to the vehicle you're buying. Always check to be sure there are no leans on the title and if there are make sure you have a lean release and be sure to contact the bank to be sure the lean is paid off.

Beware of fraudulent escrow services. For a fee, an escrow service holds the buyer's payment until the seller has delivered the item purchased. Such a third-party service can protect both parties from fraud. However, scammers often set up fake escrow services. They claim an affiliation with well-known companies like TRUSTe. We do not endorse or promote any escrow service.

Remember these tips before you agree to use an escrow service:

• Avoid any service that claims to be operated by TRUSTe. TRUSTe doesn’t operate an escrow service.
• Verify an escrow service’s legitimacy by checking with state regulators.
• Research the escrow service
• Decline the transaction if the other party insists on using an escrow service that you’re not sure about.
• Use a search engine to open the website in a different browser-don’t click on a link the seller provides
• Dial the contact number listed
• Search for the company on the BBB website.

And once you find an escrow service you're comfortable with, be sure you understand:

• What conditions must be met before the payment is released to the seller.
• What the escrow service charges.
• Which party is expected to pay the fee.

If any escrow-related email or website implies an affiliation with us by displaying our logo or by other means, report it to us and law enforcement. Check our Internet fraud resources section for advice on escrow services.

We don't get involved in transactions between buyers and sellers.

Don't respond to any email that appears to come from Nationalcarlister.com and urges you to complete the sale or purchase of a car listed on our site. Such emails are a sure sign of a scam.

Other signs of fraud are emails that:

• Claim the security of a transaction is guaranteed by Nationalcarlister.com
• Imply we've verified information about a particular buyer, seller or listing.
• Describe a "preferred" or "pre-approved" buyer or seller program.

Nationalcarlister.com doesn't guarantee or endorse transactions, and we don't have preferred or pre-approved buyers or sellers. We'll never encourage you to buy any particular vehicle listed on our site or to sell your vehicle to any particular buyer. If you receive a suspicious email such as the ones described above, report it to us and to law enforcement.

We don't require payment to enter a sweepstakes.

NCL.com may offer promotional contests from time to time, but we'll never require payment to enter a sweepstakes or to claim a prize. We do not require a purchase on our site as well.

If you receive an email that claims we're holding a promotional contest or sweepstakes:

• Check our website for accurate information. If you don't get confirmation from us that we're holding a contest, don't participate.
• Don't click any links embedded in email messages. A link may look correct, but the code behind it could take you to a different website. Copy and paste a link into your browser's address bar.

If you think you've received a fraudulent email involving a promotional contest, report the email to us and to law enforcement.

We don't inspect vehicles listed on our website for Flood damage or for previous Salvage history.

Hurricane Katrina flooded an estimated half a million cars. These damaged vehicles may make it into the used car market all over the U.S. and may be sold to unsuspecting buyers.

Salvage history vehicles are just another thing to be aware of. There are many states that do not require people who have been in a major accident or rebuild them to go through State inspected again so check with your local laws and regulations.

To avoid purchasing a Flood-damaged vehicle or Salvage history

Inspect the car

Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic who is trained in vehicle inspection they are located all over the country look in your local directory. Buyer beware so look with you own eyes for mud or mildew under the carpets, in low areas such as the trunk floor, and in enclosed areas such as doors, panels and gas tanks. Inspect headlights and door panels for a water line.

Verify the title

Damaged vehicles may have been registered out of state so do a vehicle history report. Also, keep in mind that titles can be altered and transferred to different states, and not all states require that a vehicle's title indicate whether or not it has been salvaged. Be prepared to do your homework to assure yourself what you are buying is worth it!

Check the VIN in the national database

The National Insurance Crime Bureau compiled a database of vehicles involved in recent hurricanes. Check the VIN free of charge to help determine if the vehicle was involved in either Hurricane Katrina or Rita. Keep in mind that there may be vehicles affected by the hurricanes that are not included in this database.

Obtain a vehicle history report

A CARFAX or an AUTOCHECK vehicle history report can provide a lot of useful information, such as who holds the title, whether the vehicle you searching for has been in an accident and if it was ever reported stolen, salvaged or damaged.

If you own a Flood-damaged vehicle or a previous Salvage vehicle

Contact your insurance company they can work with vendors to determine if your vehicle is worth repairing or if it should be declared a total loss.

Again, these are just a few helpful pointers. We at NationalCarLister.com are not responsible for any purchases that were made on our site. So we strongly encourage those to be thorough in your purchase.