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 Report Scams |
Help us stop fraud and scammers! If you find a suspicious ad or receive a suspecious email, let us and law enforcement know right away.
Step 1
Forward or email any suspecious emails or ads to reportscam@ponytrader.com.
Step 2
File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center to inform federal and state law enforcement agencies. Report the fraud to local law enforcement as well.
We strongly recommend that you report fraud to law enforcement. PonyTrader.com investigates all reports in an effort to protect our customers against future fraud. However, it's not likely we can help you get your money back or arrest the thieves who stole it.
Because there is no foolproof way to prevent fraud, awarness is the best defense. Please review our tips below, and use your best judgment in all transactions.
1. We don't own, buy or sell any vehicles or parts listed on our site.
2. We don't offer automotive warehousing or shipping services.
3. We don't get involved in transactions between buyers and sellers.
4. We don't endorse any particular escrow service.
5. We don't ask you for personal or financial information via email.
6. We don't inspect vehicles listed on our website.
Common-Sense Advice for Buyers
Buying a car you find online is a lot like buying a car through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.
Know the car's market value
Be suspicious of a vehicle priced significantly below market value. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Obtain a vehicle history report
A vehicle history report can provide useful information, such as who holds the title to the car and whether the car has been in an accident reported to authorities. You'll also find out whether the car was ever reported stolen, salvaged or damaged.
Inspect the car
Schedule an inspection with a professional mechanic or an inspection service if the car is not in your area. An early inspection can help you identify problems. However, keep in mind that an inspection isn't a warranty and won't guarantee a car is free from defects or that inspectors have identified all existing problems.
Confirm contact information
Before you send payment, verify the seller's street address and phone number- an email address is not enough. ZIP codes, area codes and addresses should match up. Be wary if the seller is located overseas.
Get a detailed receipt
Ask the seller for a receipt that states whether the vehicle is being sold with a warranty or "as is."
Get title to the vehicle
Make sure you know what's required in your state to transfer title to the vehicle you're buying.
Common-Sense Advice for Sellers
Selling a car you find online is a lot like selling a car through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.
Confirm contact information
Be particularly wary of buyers willing to purchase your car sight-unseen, especially buyers located overseas. Always verify the buyer's street address and phone number.
Secure payment first
Do not transfer the title until you have payment in hand at the agreed upon price.
Verify that a certified check is genuine
Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn't cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account.
Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes
Don't agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the sale price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any buyer who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the buyer.
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