Car Scams You Need to Look Out For

Sorting your budget and finances can be quite daunting. Starting new contracts and payments is a part of life which causes a lot of worry and it takes a lot of trust between the company and customer. That’s why it is so important to be aware of possible car scams.

With this in mind, it is important to remain vigilant online and in person to make sure you (and your money) stays safe. Here are some of the most common car scams around.

There are a number of people falling victim to fake leasing deals which have been advertised on social media. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) have seen a rise in people falling prey to this particular scam.

These criminals advertise fake leasing deals on Facebook and Instagram with the promise of no credit checks or deposits. This is a horrible crime which targets vulnerable people who are in financial difficulty.

Any legal car leasing company will do a credit check before sorting a contract for a vehicle. Always double check the business through the BVRLA before you hand over any money or fill out any forms with your personal information on.

Have you ever received a text from the DVLA saying that you are eligible for a tax refund? There are reports from many people warning about this particular scam. The message will contain a link which asks you to fill out personal information and confirm card detail.

If you ever get a message like this, delete it immediately and do not open the link. Always remember that the DVLA would never use text or email to contact a member of the public.

Crash for Cash scams may be more familiar because it has been going on for a long time. There have been many cases (and videos) of people who slam on their brakes without cause, just so they can claim from their insurance providers.

To prevent this from happening, it is important to always remain aware of your surroundings when driving. Remember to leave a decent space between your car and the one in front.

Another way to overcome this is to install a dashcam in your vehicle. This way you have evidence to show that there is a scam in play and that you are not at fault.

If you are looking at eBay and Facebook to purchase your next car, approach sellers with caution. There have been a number of incidents in recent years of people losing thousands of pounds.

This is can be done in a number of ways. You may be told that the car will be delivered to you in 2 days after payment, only for the car to never show up. Alternatively, you could be asked to bring cash and pick up the car from a certain location – though you don’t know what will happen when you get there.

If you are planning to travel to purchase a car, make sure you sort all of the proper documentation and bring at least one other person with you for safety.

We take care of everything except petrol and insurance which makes your journey with us as stress-free as possible. Get in touch today to get a short-term vehicle lease from a provider you can trust and rely on.