Scam library
Fake vehicle escrow
A vehicle seller directs you to a fake service that claims to hold your payment safely until delivery.
What it looks like
Fictional example: The car is in storage while I relocate. Pay example.com/vehicle-escrow and you get five days to inspect it.
Fictional example: Your camper is ready for dispatch. Wire the full price to our holding account before delivery.
How it works
A scammer advertises a vehicle or impersonates a real dealership. They explain why you cannot inspect it and steer you to a shipping or escrow business they control. The promised holding account is simply another route for taking your money.
Warning signs
- Inspection is only allowed after full payment.
- The seller chooses an escrow company you cannot independently verify.
- A copied dealership site gives different payment contacts.
- The seller's story prevents any meeting or vehicle inspection.
If you got one of these
- Inspect the vehicle and verify its title before paying.
- Call the dealership through contact details found independently.
- Verify the escrow provider separately from the seller's links.
- Do not treat a vehicle history report as proof the seller owns the vehicle.
If you already paid or shared something
- Call your bank fraud line immediately and request a wire recall or other available recovery.
- Save the vehicle identification number, listing, escrow instructions, and payment records.
- Report at ic3.gov and notify any real dealership whose identity was copied.
Who gets targeted
People buying cars, campers, boats, motorcycles, or equipment remotely.