Trading Standards warns consumers about car-selling scam

Trading Standards is warning consumers about vehicle matching scams, which cost Northern Ireland consumers thousands of pounds every year.

Vehicle matching scams work by promising to match consumers who are selling their cars, with definite buyers. Typically, the seller is cold-called by telephone, having placed an advertisement in a magazine, website or newspaper.

The seller is assured that a buyer exists for the vehicle which they are selling, however, it is a condition that they pay a ‘matcher’s fee’ up front, before the sale is completed.

During its investigations into this scam, Trading Standards Service (TSS) has found that in many cases, there is no buyer, the contract with the vehicle matcher cannot be cancelled and any money paid is lost.

Last year, over 40 private sellers of second-hand vehicles complained to Consumerline, the consumer helpline of TSS. These complainants lost between £80 and £99 each.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has co-ordinated the sharing of intelligence between a range of enforcement agencies to target action against traders engaged in unfair commercial practices. The OFT has also provided enforcement assistance by organising a day of action with the police, GB local authorities, TSS and consumer bodies, to crack down on the car matching scammers.

The OFT is also working with online and print motoring publications who are members of the Vehicle Safe Trading Advisory Group – including Autotrader, Exchange and Mart, eBay, Pistonheads and Motors.co.uk. The aim of this is to put in place clearer, more prominent warnings for consumers as soon as they put their cars up for sale. The UK European Consumer Centre, European Consumer Centre, Dublin, and Which? magazine are also supporting the campaign.

Damien Doherty, Trading Standards Area Inspector, said: “The time is up for rogue traders who attempt to cheat sellers with false promises of a guaranteed buyer for their cars. We are working with the industry and enforcement partners across the UK to crack down on scammers who are preying on consumers, particularly during the current economic downturn.

“High pressure selling, alongside cold-calling, makes this a very successful scam and often leaves the consumer with very little chance of getting redress. While Consumerline received 40 calls last year about such scams, we believe the true number of victims could be much higher."

Damien continued by offering advice on how consumers can help avoid being scammed.

He said: “Consumers need to be alert - stop, think and be sceptical if they are cold called or are asked for money in advance. It is important that credit or debit card details are never given out to strangers.

“Private car sellers must beware of promises that are made which suggest that there are immediate buyers for a car, that finance has already been arranged for potential buyers or that buyers are willing to pay the asking price or more. Be cautious if there are buyers ready to view a car immediately or that a refund will be offered should the car not sell.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do not be pressured into anything and if in doubt about a particular telephone call, hang up.”

If you think you have been the victim of a vehicle matching scam, or you suspect a scam, call Consumerline for clear, practical consumer advice on tel: 0845 600 62 62 / 028 9025 3900 or log on to the Consumerline website.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008 prohibits unfair commercial practices and, in particular those which constitute misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive commercial practices. The Regulations are enforceable through the civil and criminal courts. Breach of the law is an offence punishable by up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

2. Car-matching scammers have easy access to car sellers’ details through online publications and newspapers, and a number of individuals are associated with more than one company. Consumers across the country have been targeted.

3. There has been a concentration of scam companies operating from around North London and Hertfordshire and several recent enforcement cases have been successfully brought against these rogue traders by trading standards. Recent action taken against vehicle matching companies, includes a prosecution taken under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 by Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards. See press release here . In addition, Companies Investigation Branch has taken action leading to several scam vehicle matching companies being compulsorily wound up.

4. The OFT is also warning employees of rogue car matching firms that they will be individually liable for prosecution for knowingly and dishonestly misleading consumers.

5 For more information on vehicle matching scams contact Consumerline on 0845 600 62 62/ 028 9025 3900 or log on to the Consumerline website.

6. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.