Autotrader: lots of spam and phishing

sebtomato

Beware if you are going to use Autotrader to list a car, and if your preferred way of communication is email.

Basically, unlike eBay, they don't have a messaging system, so the site will generate an email to you when there is an equiry, and then you reply directly to the sender.

In many case, it's just a fake enquiry just to collect your email address, and then followed straight away by phishing attempts to collect your personal details, and credit car number, or just spam.

Therefore, when enquiries are received, it's impossible to know if it's a genuine one, or if it's best to ignore, making the site then useless.

I have told their security team, and they don't really have an answer, apart from sticking to the telephone redirect system, which by the way, is not obvious to find, and not available when the ad is initially published.

Seb

worried_jim

Just set up a new email address for the sale of your car with yahoo etc, get a new free sim and use it in an old mobile to handle inquires. Once sold delete and never use again. Simples.

Hoof_Hearted

Best not to put an email address. Easier for scammers to hide behind. Last time I used my mobile and had no scam phone calls. Things seem to be better.

fivetide

worried_jim wrote: »

Just set up a new email address for the sale of your car with yahoo etc, get a new free sim and use it in an old mobile to handle inquires. Once sold delete and never use again. Simples.

This. Absolute doddle.

sebtomato

Sure, all good advice.

They really don't seem to care about security: I told them about the phishing attempts and it took them more than a day to reply. I then told them their lack of messaging system was very bad, and they just replied I should have used the phone system only. I terminated my ad several days early, because could really tell the difference between genuine enquiries and just phishing ones (and therefore couldn't reply to any), and ask for a pro-rated refund, and they said they never provide refunds...

Useless bunch of people with backward technology. Why also are they making as hard as possible to find and activate their phone redirection system??

worried_jim

There are currently 380,499 cars for sale on Autotrader- they must be doing something right!

Sadly phishing is a part of everyday modern life. Back in the '80's it was nicking car stereos and joy riding, crime moves on with the times.

At the top of the Autotrader page it says "Important Security Announcement Please Read"-

And it states-
"Fraudulent Text Message.

We have been made aware of SMS text messages being sent to some of our customers, asking them to visit depot-autotrader.com to sell their car quickly for cash.

This is not a genuine offer and this site has no association with Auto Trader.

If you have any concerns, please contact our Customer Security Team on 0845 071 0487 or email us at customersecurity@autotrader.co.uk

We have been made aware of the following phishing emails:

An email stating “Important information about your account” is asking you to log in to verify your personal information via a link. This is not a genuine email and does not originate from Auto Trader.

Sellers are receiving an email from an interested buyer asking them to click on a link to confirm they have been looking at the correct vehicle.

If you have received this email, please delete immediately, this is not a legitimate e mail and has not been sent by Auto Trader.

Never disclose your account details to anyone and ensure your password is strong including a mixture of alpha and numerical characters. You should change your password regularly. Be cautious of any e mails that ask you for log in details, credit or debit card numbers, passwords and other personal information.

If you have any concerns please contact our Customer Security Team on 0845 071 0487 or e mail us at customersecurity@autotrader.co.uk"

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/articles/2013/08/cars/important-security-announcement-please-read

mad_rich

They should be doing more.

I *only* had emails from scammers when I used Autotrader. Complete waste of money. Their advert format is a bit crap too.

sebtomato

worried_jim wrote: »

Sadly phishing is a part of everyday modern life. Back in the '80's it was nicking car stereos and joy riding, crime moves on with the times.

I never get phishing attempts from eBay or Amazon, so no, they are not doing something right.

I have asked them to refund me the ad cost, since I took it down earlier, as I couldn't tell the difference between genuine enquiries and email collection messages. They declined to reply. I then asked them to tell me at least which of those messages were genuine, they didn't reply.

When I notified them of the phishing attempts, it took them two days to reply.

Complete bunch of amateurs.

john_white

I've never had a problem on autotrader. I don't use email as I would never trust someone that can't pick up the phone to talk about the car.

The genuine enquiries are the ones that phoned you.

With autotrader you list your email address, so will attract lots spam as it's right there. With ebay you don't list an email address so they would need to register to spam you.

Having listed a couple of cars on ebay a few years back it's not something I would do a again unless the car is for spares. Loads of stupid offers, and all manor of whacky schemes. In end stuck them on autotrader, no issues.

Ranger8

Never use them again.... forty odd quid for nowt but phishing

forgotmyname

sebtomato wrote: »

I never get phishing attempts from eBay or Amazon, so no, they are not doing something right.
.

Stick your email address and phone number in the actual advert for your car on ebay and im gurantee a scammer will contact you.