BUYER SAFETY
At Built for Backroads, we’re committed to helping buyers feel confident and secure. If anything feels suspicious — whether it’s an email, message, or seller interaction — contact us immediately at support@builtforbackroads.com.
Safety Tips
Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Seeing the car in person can reveal issues that explain the price or confirm that it is a scam. Unreasonable time constraints, emotional or tragic stories, unconventional payment arrangements, or high pressure tactics tend to accompany these sorts of scams.
It is common for sellers to suggest meeting at a police station or public spot instead of their home because this is a smart safety practice. Always meet in a busy area, bring a friend if you can, and avoid carrying cash.
Known Scams
DEPOSIT FRAUD
Be cautious if a seller asks for a large deposit or wants you to send money to a third party because you could pay and never hear from them again.
Fake Escrow Companies
Some scammers create fake escrow services that look legitimate, but the payment goes directly to them instead of being held securely. Use a trusted escrow service like KeySavvy.com or Escrow.com, especially for remote deals.
Inaccurate Titles
Scammers sometimes list cars as having clean / clear titles when this is actually not the case. AutoCheck, Carfax, and the state DMV can be used to confirm title details. Exercise extra caution if the car has history in a state that has frequent issues with flooding or hurricanes, as it can sometimes be moved to another state effectively ‘washing’ the title even after flood damage. Confirm that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car.
Bitcoin
The Federal Trade Commission suggests extra caution around using Bitcoin or other crypto currencies since fraud protection is more difficult. We suggest never using crypto for a transaction.
Cash
Carrying large sums of cash can be dangerous, and buyers have been known to be robbed by fraudulent sellers when bringing cash to pay for a vehicle. If paying cash, it is best to handle the transaction inside a bank.
Talk to your bank
Unfortunately, scams are constantly evolving and new ones are always emerging, so we recommend talking to your bank to see if they are aware of any new scams. It can be helpful to run your transaction details by them for a second opinion to see if anything might be unusual or suspicious.
Note: Our guides are meant to provide general guidance for buying and selling on Built for Backroads. While we aim to keep them accurate, they may not cover all scenarios or legal requirements.