Authorities warn of stolen cars sold on Facebook and Craigslist

Stolen vehicles sold online are an increasingly growing problem, and authorities are warning people about it — particularly on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in New York says this year they’ve recovered 228 stolen cars and half (149) are sold in the advertisements. Quite a few victims thought they bought these vehicles and then tried to register them, only to discover they are stolen.

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder warned: 'Scammers are ready to take advantage of those who would need an affordable vehicle.' State officials are offering up needed guidance to help potential buyers avoid becoming victims.

Each year, most stolen cars are sold on popular online marketplaces, and State Police Superintendent Steven G. James has urged consumers to do their research before buying anything. He warned that car buyers must be on the lookout for dishonest sellers who might rip them off thousands of dollars.

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New York Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Thomas Donion repeated the concern, however, saying the vehicle should be verified and the seller proved to be legit. To help prevent bumping, he recommended avoiding cash transactions, as well as meeting in public, safe and well lit places like the NYPD's precincts, they have cameras with 24 hour video surveillance.

The DMV has shared some key tips about buying a car nationwide and to help buyers even more, they've outlined some of their thoughts on what to do. Prospective car buyers should:

1. Verify that the vehicle isn’t reported stolen with the use of a third party VIN history checker.
2. CAUTIO: Make sure the seller’s name matches the data on the vehicle title.
3. The VIN on the car should match the title.

Buyers are also encouraged to write a cashier’s check made out to the seller, instead of cash, in order to reduce the risk of being scammed by having the money returned if the purchase goes awry.

The NY DMV has also launched a dedicated website to educate consumers on what to look for in legitimate sales and how to choose a vehicle wisely. As online car sales continue to grow, these precautions are essential for protecting against fraud and theft.