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Advice from Barclays:

There are various websites where cars can be purchased, including online car dealers, internet auction sites and private sellers. The following simple tips will help to make sure buying a car over the internet is from a genuine seller and will ensure you are better protected if there's a problem later:

 • Once you have found the car you want to buy online, you must go and see it in person before paying a deposit or agreeing to buy it

• Always meet at the seller’s home or business premises. Otherwise, it could be difficult to find them again if things go wrong later

• Check you are dealing with a reputable online car company. Look for the ISIS logo, which means an online dealer must meet certain standards

• There are various car checker sites that will let you know if the car has previously written off, has any outstanding finance or if it’s been stolen

• Test drive the car, buying a car off the internet doesn’t automatically mean it will drive well

• Think about getting an independent report into the car’s condition and a history check into its background

• Using PayPal, Verified by Visa or a credit card provides better protection against fraud or problems when making an online purchase

• Don’t be fooled by auction site sellers that claim their PayPal account isn’t working or use other reasons why PayPal cannot be used

• Be cautious if the internet seller asks you to send money direct to their bank account for a high values items that you haven't seen in person

• You can consider using cash to purchase the car but don’t carry large quantities around with you

• When choosing to buy an item on an auction site, complete the transaction on the site’s recommended secure payment method. Sending money to auction site sellers that are operating outside of the sites rules and policies could result in the buyer not being eligible under their Buyer Protection scheme.

Advice from PayPal

Like many other online banks, shops and services, PayPal can be targeted by criminals who use fraudulent emails to deceive users. We go to great lengths to protect our customers in the UK, but there are still a few, simple precautions we should all take to avoid online scams.

• Spelling mistakes are a common tell-tale sign of a fraudulent email
• Be aware of any emails that ask you to click on a link or provide personal information directly in response
• A genuine PayPal email will only ever address you by your full name at the beginning – anything that starts ‘Dear customer’ should immediately raise your suspicions
• Scammers often use a false sense of urgency to prompt you to act on a phishing email. If you want to check that PayPal has tried to reach you, go to PayPal.co.uk and log into your account normally. You will have a secure message waiting if PayPal does need you to take any action

PayPal will only ever ask you to enter personal details on our secure website, after you have safely logged in to your PayPal account. PayPal will never ask for your details on an email.

If you have any doubts about an email claiming to be from PayPal, don’t click any links in it. Instead, open your web browser, go to PayPal.co.uk and log into your account normally. You will have a secure message waiting if PayPal does need you to take any action.

PayPal takes security very seriously, and encourages all users to email spoof@paypal.com if they sense anything suspicious about a purchase they are looking to make.

Advice from Auto Trader:

Payment- Never send money abroad - it's often the preferred method of a fraudulent seller acquiring money illegally. Pay for the vehicle when you physically collect it from the seller.

Price- Always check the vehicle's market value by getting a valuation on Auto Trader or comparing the price with other similar models advertised on Auto Trader. If it's being offered at a much cheaper price, ask yourself why? If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Visit the seller- It’s really important you physically check the vehicle and see the documentation. Never buy a vehicle without seeing or driving it first, preferably in daylight when it’s easier to spot damage.

View the vehicle at the seller’s home and check the address is the same as the one listed on the registration document (V5C), also known as the logbook.

Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the same as that on the V5C. This number is commonly found on the chassis, on the windscreen or on the floor by the driver’s seat

Paperwork- You must see the original V5C document, service history and MOT certificates before handing over any money. Ensure all documents are the originals and not photocopies. 

If you only do one thing make sure you carry out a vehicle history check. It will tell you whether the van is:

• Recorded as stolen
• Written-off
• Scrapped
• Subject to outstanding finance

It can also confirm registration details, the number of owners and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) allowing you to confirm these with the seller and the vehicle’s paperwork.

For more information contact Auto Trader by emailing customersecurity@autotrader.co.uk or calling 0330 303 9001.

Advice from Gumtree

We do everything in our power to keep scammers off our site.  We have a dedicated customer service and safety team available 24/7 and we work with expert third parties such as the Met Police and Action Fraud to prevent fraudulent activity.

If anyone is suspicious of an advert they can use the ‘report the ad’ button on every page. Our dedicated safety team will then investigate it and take action such as blocking the advertiser from the site, or work with the police to secure convictions.

We encourage all our customers to adhere to our safety tips on the site.   We do not recommend paying for an item before seeing it in person.   We suggest meeting face to face to inspect a vehicle before handing over any money.