DealScan6 min read
Common Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace car scams to avoid
By the DealScan team · Updated 2026-06-08
How to spot fake listings, title washing, odometer rollback, and seller scams before you lose money.
Quick answer
The most common marketplace car scams are fake escrow services, deposit-before-viewing requests, cloned listings copied from real ads, washed titles, and shipped cars that do not exist. Never send money before seeing the car, the title, and the seller's ID together.
Key takeaways
- Price that is too good to be true is usually a scam
- Seller who cannot meet in person or show the title is a red flag
- VIN that does not match the dashboard or door sticker is fraud
The too-good-to-be-true price trap
A 2019 Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles listed for $8,000 is not a bargain. It is a bait listing. Scammers use unrealistically low prices to get you to engage before you think critically.
If the price is 30% or more below market for no clear reason, run the listing through DealScan first. Check the VIN, request a photo of the title, and insist on meeting in person.
Title washing and VIN switching
Title washing is when a seller hides a salvage or flood title by registering the car in a state with looser disclosure rules. Run the VIN through a history report or Carfax to check.
VIN switching is when the dashboard VIN does not match the door or frame VIN. Always check that all VIN tags match. If they do not, do not buy the car.
Payment scams to watch for
Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, Zelle, or CashApp for a car you have not seen and titled. Scammers insist on these because they are irreversible.
Cash in person after verifying the title and inspecting the car is the safest method. Bring a friend and meet in a public place during daylight.