Beware The Craigslist Ebay Motors Escrow Scam

The famous Craigslist (or any other source) Ebay Motors escrow scam is still going strong. I am still getting many search engine hits from it, and even after two years, it remains my single most popular post.

In short, it works like this:

• You answer an ad which has a car for sale that seems "too good of a deal to pass up" or perhaps too good to be true.
• The seller says the car is in storage, and will be shipped to you. The stories vary, lately the most common one is that a military guy has to sell his car because he is shipping out, and he has to due it long distance.
• The seller demands that you send Western Union or a similar non-traceable payment to an "Ebay Motors Agent", using the Ebay Motors Protection Program. They even send you an official looking email.
• If you make the mistake of sending money, you are hosed. There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection program. There are no agents, and Ebay does not use Western Union.

Remember:

• Never pay anyone for goods using Western Union, it is probably a scam
• There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection escrow program
• Ebay Motors does not use agents
• Ebay does not accept Moneygram or Western Union payments directly
• If the story seems fishy (vehicle in storage, guy overseas) it probably is fake

Useful Links:

• Ebay Motors information on the scam.
• Western Union fraud page
• Moneygram fraud page
• Internet Crime Complaint Center