Beware The Craigslist Ebay Motors Escrow Scam

The famous Craigslist (or any other source) Ebay Motors escrow scam is still going strong. I am still getting many search engine hits from it, and even after two years, it remains my single most popular post.

In short, it works like this:

  • You answer an ad which has a car for sale that seems "too good of a deal to pass up" or perhaps too good to be true.
  • The seller says the car is in storage, and will be shipped to you. The stories vary, lately the most common one is that a military guy has to sell his car because he is shipping out, and he has to due it long distance.
  • The seller demands that you send Western Union or a similar non-traceable payment to an "Ebay Motors Agent", using the Ebay Motors Protection Program. They even send you an official looking email.
  • If you make the mistake of sending money, you are hosed. There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection program. There are no agents, and Ebay does not use Western Union.
Remember:

  • Never pay anyone for goods using Western Union, it is probably a scam
  • There is no Ebay Motors Vehicle Protection escrow program
  • Ebay Motors does not use agents
  • Ebay does not accept Moneygram or Western Union payments directly
  • If the story seems fishy (vehicle in storage, guy overseas) it probably is fake

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