Autotrader should do more...

jimjames

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Obviously not. It's because some mug will lose money to a scammer and it could be prevented by Autotrader monitoring the ads it receives.

Not quite sure what Autotrader can do to stop these other than acting on reports when they come in. If they put in an automated system then it will potentially stop legitimate sellers and cause them more headaches to resolve. If they use a manual system of approving ads first then it will add to costs and make them uncompetitive.

Surely the key is educating people that a deal is too good to be true. Some people seem to be totally lacking in common sense to part with money for a car that doesn't exist. Why would you ever send £3000 to someone for a car you'd never seen, I really don't think it is Autotrader's fault that scammers try to use it. You might as well shut down Yahoo because scammers use their email system.

As long as the site allows reporting and quick action then I think they have done their part.

Scam email ancoope@yahoo.co.uk

Hoof_Hearted

I just think the gullible should be protected. Autotrader makes plenty of money and it wouldn't take much to check ads. The email address is a big clue as the phone number never works on these scam ads.

jimjames

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

I just think the gullible should be protected. Autotrader makes plenty of money and it wouldn't take much to check ads. The email address is a big clue as the phone number never works on these scam ads.

But how can they check without increasing costs to the point of being uncompetitive. Either manual or automated has drawbacks as I explained.

There is a limit as to how far we can protect people from their own gullibility, if they don't fall for this they'll only send money to a Nigerian prince. If a £10k car is offered for £3k why would anyone think that is real.

Stoke

So how does this scam work? I thought AutoTrader was like Gumtree? Face to face only?

jimjames

Stoke wrote: »

So how does this scam work? I thought AutoTrader was like Gumtree? Face to face only?

It's nothing to do with Autotrader, they publish the advert but make no arrangement for payment that is down to buyer and seller.

If I put my car up for sale, you get in touch saying you want to buy it. I say I'm in Europe, send me the money and I'll send you the car but we can use a escrow system (which is fake). Sending money to someone unknown for a car in a private ad you've not seen is just crazy.

You can't legislate for people doing stupid things.

victor2

jimjames wrote: »

You can't legislate for people doing stupid things.

Absolutely.
When you speak to someone who's just been scammed and they say "But it was a bargain", you know you're in the land of the gullible.
That is unfortunately what keeps scams alive. If Autotrader were to come up with an effective way of stopping the scams, the scammers would just move on to a new marketplace and/or come up with a new scam. You can report dodgy looking ads to Autotrader and they will act, but they will only do enough to indicate they are making the effort to uphold their reputation.

DUTR

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Yes, I reported it but I shouldn't have to.

Why not? It was no big deal to report it, just as it was no big deal to report it here. Just like the pot holes that people pass and don't report them, then come whinging that they have done some damage to their car.

Strider590

Even traders will scam buyers by advertising cars that they don't have, JUST to get buyers to travel to their premises..... Once there, they say "oh it's been sold, but we've got this (old shed) in the corner".

Hoof_Hearted

Some of you make it sound as if the gullible deserve to be scammed. These people are criminals and, althought it is amazing to most of us, people are very trusting and believe what they are being told. Each ad may catch out a dozen people. Because the ads stick out a mile, I just think Autotrader could do more.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the ad disappears.

DUTR

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Some of you make it sound as if the gullible deserve to be scammed. These people are criminals and, althought it is amazing to most of us, people are very trusting and believe what they are being told. Each ad may catch out a dozen people. Because the ads stick out a mile, I just think Autotrader could do more.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the ad disappears.

No, it's not ok to be scammed but then it's not ok to be 'stupid' , we are all born with brains and I'm surprised at how many people care not to think from time to time, buyers should be aware and cynical, a sob story of why a car is being sold does not need to be told.