Online shopping and banking are part of most people's everyday lives. Even larger purchases such as buying a new car are often made over the Internet. However, this creates more and more opportunities for criminals to obtain confidential and personal data.
The Thuringia State Police Directorate announces: On the occasion of “Safer Internet Day”, the “Safer Car Buying on the Internet” initiative by ADAC, the police, AutoScout24 and mobile.de shows what car buyers and sellers should pay particular attention to when trading online.
Buying a car online is easy. Nevertheless, buyers and sellers fail to note that there are a few things to keep in mind during the car buying and selling process to avoid falling into the trap of a fraudster. Because: You need to be careful when exchanging emails.
1. Phishing emails
So-called “phishing emails” are messages that are sent by a supposedly reputable company and ask the recipient to release private and confidential data, such as passwords and PINs. The email usually contains a link that directs the user to a new website. This usually looks deceptively similar to the real site, but is fake. Anyone who enters their personal data or passwords there makes it easy for criminals. Online vehicle exchanges are also used for such attacks. To protect yourself from phishing emails, you should pay attention to certain characteristics such as a possibly fake sender address, incorrect spelling or a request to enter personal data.
2. Password security
Not only recognizing and avoiding “phishing”, but also strong passwords contribute to greater security when using the Internet, for example in the login area of car sales platforms.
A “strong” password should consist of at least twelve characters, upper and lower case letters, numbers and one or more special characters. Basically, the longer and more complex, the better. However, common words or number combinations (e.g. 1234) should be avoided. In order to optimally protect yourself, password managers can be used, which support the generation of secure passwords and sometimes even point out data leaks.
3. Premature conclusion of contract
If the buyer and seller agree, the contract is concluded. But there is also a trap lurking here that many people are not aware of. A “classic” purchase contract consists of an offer and acceptance between buyer and seller. “Many buyers believe that a purchase contract is only legally agreed upon in a personal meeting and through a signature. There are no formal requirements for purchase contracts (except for real estate). A purchase contract for a vehicle can therefore also be concluded verbally, by email or even via WhatsApp. And that often happens faster than you think. “You should therefore be very careful with even a “loose” commitment,” advises Silvia Schattenkirchner, spokeswoman for the initiative.
4. Advance payment fraud
You need to be particularly careful when paying for a new car. Online platforms such as AutoScout24 and mobile.de only serve to provide contacts, which is why in most cases there is no security with regard to the identity of the providers, their seriousness or the advertisements posted. For this reason, you should exercise caution and never make advance payments as a buyer. It is best to always exchange money in person and only in exchange for the vehicle (and the associated documents).
5. Fake documents
Another common method of fraud is forged documents and records.
They are usually almost indistinguishable from the originals. It is therefore particularly important as a buyer to check documents sufficiently before completing the purchase, to have the seller present the original documents and to compare the information contained there with the car inspected (e.g. the vehicle identification number). But as a seller you should also keep a few tips in mind: Documents such as vehicle or ID documents should not be scanned, copied or sent by email to prospective buyers. This increases the risk of identity theft. Further scams when buying cars on the Internet and tips on how consumers can protect themselves against them can be found on the website of the “Safer Car Buying on the Internet” initiative.
About the “Safer Car Purchasing on the Internet” initiative The “Safer Car Purchasing on the Internet” initiative was launched at the beginning of 2007 by the leading Internet vehicle markets AutoScout24 and mobile.de together with the ADAC and has been run by the police crime prevention of the federal states since March 2008 supported by the federal government. The aim of the initiative is to sensitize users of online vehicle markets to safety issues relating to car buying and selling, to provide comprehensive information and to provide concrete assistance. The initiative's spokesperson is Silvia Schattenkirchner, head of consumer law at the ADAC's legal headquarters.
Source: Thuringia State Police Directorate
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