With used online used car scams on the rise, especially in the UK, Mycarcheck.com has issued some useful advice of how to spot the tell-tell signs of a scam when buying a car on the net.

Thousands of Irish motorist and traders are now purchasing cars in the UK and generally they will locate the vehicle online. This is a quick and easy method of finding what they are looking for, but is not without risk. 

Mycarcheck.com says there are three signs especially to watch out for;

1.            Is the vehicle being offered for substantially less than other similar models?
2.            Does the number ring out or go to voicemail, prompting you to ‘email the seller’?
3.            Are you then offered a vehicle that is abroad but can be ‘shipped to you’?

Mark Bailey, Head of CDL Vehicle Information Systems, which owns mycarcheck.com, said, “The sheer volume of online scams is off the chart this summer, with seasonal favourites like convertibles, camper vans and motor homes being targeted. From early this year we saw a significant rise in fraudulent online adverts, but from May onwards it really ramped up, not only for the usual cars, vans and bikes, but for plant and agricultural vehicles, every sector you can think of.”

Mark added, “Sophisticated con artists, often operating in organised criminal gangs, can create scam adverts very quickly and on an industrial scale, even setting up whole fake dealer websites. The best advice remains: If in doubt, walk away.”