• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Fraud or stupid?

F

fleabag

Banned
I was checking out a listing for a car on craigslist, I called the guy and asked him to provide the VIN but he refused to provide it to me because he thinks that I'm going to duplicate it. He said that I'm the first person to ever ask him for the VIN of his car he is selling and that "he's just a little guy". I tried to explain to him that on autotrader.com people always provide the VIN for the car and it's perfectly fine to give it out but the guy refused to provide it nonetheless. So, is this guy being paranoid and stupid or is he a liar who is pretending like the car has a clean title but in reality does not. He said he'll give out the VIN if I give him my Social security number.
 
Sounds like he is just paranoid. Better that than hold funds for a Nigerian prince.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
I was checking out a listing for a car on craigslist, I called the guy and asked him to provide the VIN but he refused to provide it to me because he thinks that I'm going to duplicate it. He said that I'm the first person to ever ask him for the VIN of his car he is selling and that "he's just a little guy". I tried to explain to him that on autotrader.com people always provide the VIN for the car and it's perfectly fine to give it out but the guy refused to provide it nonetheless. So, is this guy being paranoid and stupid or is he a liar who is pretending like the car has a clean title but in reality does not. He said he'll give out the VIN if I give him my Social security number.
Click to expand...

Pass, the car probably has salvage title or some other brand.
 
I wouldn't give my VIN out to everyone. I don't know what kind of scams people can pull with a VIN number.
 
Originally posted by: XZeroII
I wouldn't give my VIN out to everyone. I don't know what kind of scams people can pull with a VIN number.
Click to expand...

Ya, good think they keep them hidden and not exposed on cars.... 😉
 
Originally posted by: XZeroII
I wouldn't give my VIN out to everyone. I don't know what kind of scams people can pull with a VIN number.
Click to expand...

Most cars have it on the bottom of windshield, so if someone wanted to get it, they can just copy it from there when you leave your car in a parking lot.
 
He is probably stupid in which case you don't want to buy it or he's breaking the law in which case you don't want to buy it.

The SSN is hilarious.
 
I bought a Miata recently and the guy wouldn't email me the VIN. I just took it down when I looked at the car. He was afraid of the same thing, somebody duplicating his VIN on another title/vehicle. Weird.
 
Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
I bought a Miata recently and the guy wouldn't email me the VIN. I just took it down when I looked at the car. He was afraid of the same thing, somebody duplicating his VIN on another title/vehicle. Weird.
Click to expand...

I don't think most people realize that it's right there on the windshield. If it were so easy to duplicate a title people would be doing it all the time.
 
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
I bought a Miata recently and the guy wouldn't email me the VIN. I just took it down when I looked at the car. He was afraid of the same thing, somebody duplicating his VIN on another title/vehicle. Weird.
Click to expand...

I don't think most people realize that it's right there on the windshield. If it were so easy to duplicate a title people would be doing it all the time.
Click to expand...

Craigslist also has that HUGE post about scammers, so they assume anybody asking for (what seems like) private info about the car is a scammer.
 
Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
I bought a Miata recently and the guy wouldn't email me the VIN. I just took it down when I looked at the car. He was afraid of the same thing, somebody duplicating his VIN on another title/vehicle. Weird.
Click to expand...

Problem is, the guy is really far away, his car isn't that special and so I don't want to drive a great distance just to get the VIN only to find out his car is salvage or has had like 5 owners, etc.
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
I bought a Miata recently and the guy wouldn't email me the VIN. I just took it down when I looked at the car. He was afraid of the same thing, somebody duplicating his VIN on another title/vehicle. Weird.
Click to expand...

Problem is, the guy is really far away, his car isn't that special and so I don't want to drive a great distance just to get the VIN only to find out his car is salvage or has had like 5 owners, etc.
Click to expand...

Then don't do it. Either the guy is trying to scam you or he's an idiot. You never want to deal with a scammer and if the guy is being this stupid about the VIN I would think he'll be an idiot all the way through the deal. It would probably be a pain to deal with him. If the car's not anything special go find another one that's owned by someone that's easier to deal with.
 
If they won't provide a VIN, I won't deal with them. Period.

Dealers will often post the VIN in their ads, no reason for anyone to hide it.

ZV
 
He may be hiding the VIN because the car has been in an accident and is afraid of CarFax. He may only want to sell to someone who doesn't ask about it because he has something to hide.

I wouldn't call it "fraud". He's secretive. If that weirds you out too much, just deal with someone else.

Really, if you check out the car *thoroughly*, inspecting the frame to make sure it's not bent, and have it looked at by a mechanic, it might be worth a shot if the car is being offered at a very nice price.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
He may be hiding the VIN because the car has been in an accident and is afraid of CarFax. He may only want to sell to someone who doesn't ask about it because he has something to hide.

I wouldn't call it "fraud". He's secretive. If that weirds you out too much, just deal with someone else.

Really, if you check out the car *thoroughly*, inspecting the frame to make sure it's not bent, and have it looked at by a mechanic, it might be worth a shot if the car is being offered at a very nice price.
Click to expand...

Well, $2000 for a '96 Honda Civic with 289K miles isn't exactly a "great price".
 
Not commenting on this case specifically, but wasn't there a rash of people walking into VW dealers a few years back with a VIN, and walking out with a new set of keys?
 
Originally posted by: Sluggo
Not commenting on this case specifically, but wasn't there a rash of people walking into VW dealers a few years back with a VIN, and walking out with a new set of keys?
Click to expand...

Only if the dealership are idiots.

Policy has always been that a dealership will only cut a key if you bring in the title and/or registration along with a valid photo ID. They do this because the VIN is legally required to be visible at the base of the windshield and anyone could just walk up to any parked car and jot down the VIN.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: fleabag
Originally posted by: SickBeast
He may be hiding the VIN because the car has been in an accident and is afraid of CarFax. He may only want to sell to someone who doesn't ask about it because he has something to hide.

I wouldn't call it "fraud". He's secretive. If that weirds you out too much, just deal with someone else.

Really, if you check out the car *thoroughly*, inspecting the frame to make sure it's not bent, and have it looked at by a mechanic, it might be worth a shot if the car is being offered at a very nice price.
Click to expand...

Well, $2000 for a '96 Honda Civic with 289K miles isn't exactly a "great price".
Click to expand...

That's too much money for that car. Even though it's a Honda it will have it's share of maintenance items that will need to be addressed.

I have a 94 Accord with 262K+ miles and I wouldn't expect to get more than 1K for it if I tried to sell.

 
My brother just sold his 1996 Honda Civic for $1000 with 145k. No mechanical issues, no oil leaks, moderate tire wear, good title. 2k for a Civic with 289k is too much!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top