ROSEVILLE, Mich. – A Roseville mother says she was scammed while attempting to buy a vehicle on Craigslist; the thief got away with $4,000, and left the single mother heartbroken and without reliable transportation.
Batina Jackson was in the market for a new car when she stumbled upon an ad on Craigslist for a Honda Accord.
“I was trying to find me and the kids a safe and reliable car,” said Jackson, whose current vehicle started breaking down frequently.
The seller of the vehicle told Jackson she was in the Marines, and would ship the vehicle to Michigan from North Carolina.
When Jackson told the scammer she was hesitant, the seasoned thief assured Jackson the transaction was legitimate. Jackson soon received Emails about the sale from what she thought was eBay Motors.
“They used eBay's logo, eBay's everything.” Jackson said.
The single mom of two loaded eight iTunes cards with $500 each per the scammer's instructions and sent her photos of the back of the cards.
Four thousand dollars was taken and the scammer left Jackson heartbroken, but hopeful.
“I don’t have a job. I don’t have any money. But I know God is going to make a way. He always makes a way for me,” Jackson said. “I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
Jackson filed a police report with Roseville police, but it’s unlikely she will get her money back.
How to avoid scams when buying a car
Local 4's Hank Winchester has a few tips for those who want to stay safe when shopping for a new vehicle.
- Always see the vehicle in person before you make any deal.
It's best to take a good look at the vehicle before moving forward with a purchase. This way, you can ensure the vehicle really exists and you can spot any red flags that may be more noticeable in person.
- Meet in a public place.
Meet the seller in a safe, well-lit, and well-populated area. Some safe meeting places include police stations, mechanic shops, and busy parking lots.
- Get the vehicle Identification number to search the vehicle history.
There are many useful tools you can use online to research a car's history through it's VIN. Make sure the millage and damage reports match what the seller is telling you.
- Never pay with wire transfers or pre-paid cards.
These types of payments make it easy for scammers to run without leaving a paper trail. Unless you know the seller personally, it's best to avoid paying with wire transfers or pre-paid cards unless you've seen the vehicle in person and have information on the seller.
- Research common scams
Some common scams include sellers who say they're about to be deployed and must sell their vehicle. Take a moment to research the most common types of scams thieves use to lure victims online.