Motoring expert and presenter
Quentin Wilson said:

“The internet - across all sectors, not just motors - has opened up new routes for unscrupulous criminals in the UK and overseas to take advantage of innocent purchasers. Car buyers need to be extra vigilant in learning about the safe ways to buy and how to spot a rogue seller.”

"It's therefore good see what are essentially some of the biggest names in car advertising working together to help combat crime and create a safer buying environment for consumers, as well as providing real and authoritative guidance to on how to safely buy your next vehicle."

Reporting Fraud to Police

The Sterling Prevention Unit of the Metropolitan Police Service has prepared the following advice.

It relates to making crime allegations to the Police as a result of the process of buying or selling a vehicle.

The complete document can be found here...

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About VSTAG

The Vehicle Safe Trading Advisory Group, VSTAG, is an industry forum created to combat vehicle-related fraud. Its aim is to help protect buyers and sellers of pre-owned vehicles from fraud during the vehicle buying and selling process. To help in achieving this aim, VSTAG members share information on known and suspected fraudulent advertisements.

The purpose of VSTAG is to help protect UK consumers – both buyers and sellers, and both online and print users - from vehicle-related fraud.

This includes:

  • The preparation and promotion of advice to consumers and car dealers on how to avoid vehicle-related fraud
  • Sharing intelligence between members that could reduce vehicle-related fraud, including advice on current scams and details of fraudulent ads
  • Developing national best practice guidelines for members on vehicle-related crime prevention and investigation
  • Liaising with appropriate law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities

Metropolitan Police Case Studies and Advice

The Metropolitan Police and Western Union Bank both recommend that consumers use money transfers as a means to purchase goods only when sending money to someone they already know and trust.

All too often consumers fall foul of unscrupulous sellers who have invented numerous methods to extract funds from unsuspecting purchasers.

One of the common scams involves asking for money in advance to fund the shipping of a car from overseas. Often the shipping fee is included in the overall cost of the already extremely low priced car.

The same scams are used worldwide.
Read these case studies

VOSA

Check the validity of your MOT certificate at VOSA.

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