Press release -
RAC warns drivers about Car Buying scam
RAC is warning drivers trying to sell their cars not to be taken in by scams which operate by tricking people into accepting an offer near their asking price.
The scams generally work by targeting anyone who is advertising their car for sale online. Sellers are sent a text message offering to buy their vehicle for close to the advertised price.
Typically the seller would be encouraged to fill out their details online and pay a booking fee ahead of being paid the full amount in cash on collection. Once the booking fee is taken the seller never hears anything else from the company which is supposedly purchasing their vehicle.
RAC is aware of at least one organisation that has been using the RAC’s old logo alongside those of other reputable companies in an effort to add authenticity to its activities. Having received a number of complaints from people who had been taken in, RAC has reported the operation to the Trading Standards e-crime team.
RAC lawyer Scott Morrison warns: “People looking to sell their vehicles should be very careful if they are approached by any organisation asking for any sort of online payment upfront ahead of a cash payment on collection.”
Anyone affected by this type of practice should contact the Citizens’ Advice Helpline on 0845 4040 506 to ensure information is passed to Trading Standards.
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Notes to Editors
About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch. It provides a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump - and tracks these prices daily to help drivers check if the price they pay to fill up is a fair one.
