How to recognize red flags and protect yourself when shopping for specialty vehicles
Buying a specialty car online can be an exciting and rewarding experience – but like any online transaction, it’s important to stay alert to potential scams. While most sellers are legitimate enthusiasts or dealers, there are bad actors out there who target buyers. Below are some common red flags to be aware of and practical steps you can take to help protect yourself.
Common Red Flags
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Too-good-to-be-true pricing: Be cautious if a car is priced well below market value. This is one of the most common tactics used by scammers to lure buyers.
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High-pressure tactics or urgency: Scammers often create artificial urgency, claiming the car must be sold immediately or that other buyers are lined up, to rush you into a quick decision.
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Avoiding in-person meetings or inspections: Be wary of sellers who refuse to meet in person or who claim they’re unavailable due to travel or deployment. This is often a sign that something isn’t right.
- Unusual payment requests: Requests for gift cards, payments sent to unrelated third parties, or the use of unconventional services are major red flags. Scammers often suggest sending money to a shipper, relative, or third-party account.
How to Protect Yourself
- Ask to see the vehicle: If it’s possible to view the car in person before purchasing, it’s always a good idea to do so. If you're unable to be there yourself, consider using a professional inspection service like LemonSquad, or request a live video walkthrough via FaceTime or another platform. Seeing the vehicle (either in person or virtually) can help confirm both its condition and the legitimacy of the seller.
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Stick to secure payment methods: Consider using well-established options like verified bank transfers or reputable escrow services. Platforms like KeySavvy or DealNow offer solutions designed for safe vehicle transactions.
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Avoid third-party payments: Never send money to someone other than the seller, and avoid wiring funds to shippers or other intermediaries you haven’t independently verified.
- Do your research: Look up the vehicle’s history, verify seller details, and compare pricing across multiple sources to ensure everything adds up. If the full VIN isn’t shown in the listing, ask the seller to provide it – most reputable sellers will have no issue doing so. If the VIN is missing, incomplete, or the seller is unwilling to share it, that’s a red flag and a good reason to walk away. Taking a few minutes to review these details can go a long way in protecting yourself.
- Note: Vehicles produced before 1981 will not use a standard 17-digit VIN. In the case of these older vehicles, the seller should still be able to provide a Chassis or Serial number that you can use to research the vehicle.
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Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off – whether it’s how the seller communicates, how the transaction is structured, or anything else – pause and reassess before moving forward.
If You Suspect a Scam
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Stop all communication with the seller right away.
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Report the interaction to us by emailing pitcrew@classic.com. Include as much detail as possible.
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Contact your bank or payment provider if funds have already been sent. They may be able to assist with canceling or reversing the transaction.
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File a report with your local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).
Final Note
Buying a specialty car online should be enjoyable and rewarding. Staying informed and vigilant helps reduce risk and ensures a safer experience. CLASSIC.COM does not sell vehicles directly and is not involved in transactions between buyers and sellers, so we encourage all users to do their own due diligence and take appropriate precautions.
If you ever have questions or concerns, our team is here to help.
Email us at pitcrew@classic.com
Stay safe and happy searching!