Buying a vehicle can be a safe and straightforward process, as long as you take these few simple steps to protect yourself.
Avoiding Scams
If a vehicle is offered at a much cheaper price, ask yourself why. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Make sure the seller has a valid address and telephone number - be wary of mobile phone numbers, always visit the seller at home and never buy without seeing and driving the vehicle first.
- Be wary of buyers wanting to buy the vehicle without seeing it, requesting upfront shipment payments or private information, a false sense of urgency or unnecessary details - it could be a vehicle export scam.
- Never wire money abroad as it is often a fraudulent seller.
Protect your PC
- Ensure security software is up-to-date, including anti-virus protection, anti-spyware software and a firewall.
- Set a secure password for your wi-fi connection using a combination of letters and numbers.
- Block spam emails and use an up-to-date web browser.
- Encrypt your wireless network to protect against eavesdroppers and freeloaders.
Protect your identity and privacy
- Avoid identity theft by using an up-to-date web browser and blocking bogus emails with a spam filter.
- Use a secure password, with a mix of words, letters, numbers and punctuation, and avoid using names of loved ones or other easy-to-guess passwords.
- Be careful about the personal information you give away online (such as on blogs and social networking sites).
What to do if you think you're a victim
If you think you've been targeted by a fraudster, contact Carzone.ie immediately by emailing support@carzone.ie or calling 01 4490 650.