Quick question about selling a car online

[adamred]

I have a car on Craigslist for sale. I just received an email from a potential buyer who wants the VIN number and more pics. No mention at this point about "clients who owe us money" or offshore shipping, etc. So I want to be receptive at this point before treating it like a scam.

My question, is there a personal security concern with sharing the VIN # with a complete stranger? Can they use this information to get any personal information about me, try to resell the car without me knowing, etc?

Sharing experience with online car sales is appreciated.

BTW the car in question is my 2001 Audi A6 Avant, 59K miles, leather, moonroof, CD, etc. $16K OBO.

Adam

[bigchillcar]

he probably wants the vin number to be able to run a carfax report..my guess is that you're probably safe. as to the question of whether an individual can use the vin to extract info on you via the net, etc. will have to be answered definitively by someone more knowledgeable in this area.
ryan

[JavaBrewer]

You should be fine giving up the VIN and I believe AutoTrader *requires* that you provide one. Personally I would never buy a car online without access to the VIN - and I bought our last 5 vehicles online.

[bigchillcar]

to add and support david's comment..ditto..i bought my truck via autotrader and had the owner send me the vin to run a carfax with a fellow pelican's help here..
ryan

[RickM]

I run the carfax and advertise that I'll send the report to any potential buyer.

A VIN may be needed for a loan pre-approval as well.

FWIW, one can get a VIN # off of just about any car in a parking lot. I wouldn't worry.

[adamred]

OK, thanks guys, will send him/her the VIN and see what it yields...ready to get this car out of here...

[adamred]

I think I have figured out a quick way to determine if a buyer is a nigerian scammer (I'm probably not the first but it has happened 2 times now)

They always ask what your "bottom price" is, if you reply back to them, I'm open to offers, make a me an offer, you never hear back...they're just too dumb or busy scamming other people to do the research to know what it is worth. They just want a number that they can say, "OK your price is acceptable to my client, now wire me $5K over....etc, etc." you know the rest.

Not giving them a revised number ends the emails...

[adamred]

Slam dunk...

"Hello,
Thanks for your response.My client really commended your car from autotrader vehicle lead and and has authorized me to proceed with the deal at your price of $16,000.

He will be going on vacation very soon and intends issuing a cashiers check for $26,000 which was a refund payment of a cancelled order earlier made by him but will be made out in your name.

You are only required to deduct the cost of your vehicle and send the difference when payment gets to you to a shipping agent whose information will be given to you as at when due.

The shipping agent will be needing the excess fund to offset shipping charges, taxes and other cosmetic repairs/touches if any. The agent will also be responsible for signing and transfering of title papers and also pick-up.

I would need your full names, present mailing address and phone number for payment to be delivered to you via mail services.
My regards


Patrick"