How to Avoid Facebook Marketplace Vehicle Report Scams

If you tuned into my recent KFGO tech segment, you heard me talk about a scam that’s been making the rounds on Facebook Marketplace — especially when it comes to selling vehicles. Since many of us use Marketplace to buy and sell cars, I thought it was worth digging into and sharing what I learned.

The Setup: A Buyer Who Seems Interested

When selling a vehicle online, it’s normal for potential buyers to ask for a vehicle history report. Carfax, AutoCheck, or VIN checks are common requests, and legitimate buyers are usually fine with whichever service you choose.

But here’s the scam: a “buyer” shows interest and insists you buy a report from a very specific site. In my case, they didn’t even send me a link — they just told me they needed a “U.S. Verified Check” from usverifiedcheck.com because they supposedly had an issue with Carfax.

Why It’s a Red Flag

At first glance, the site looked like a legitimate vehicle report service, styled a lot like Carfax. But after doing some digging, I found warnings across the Better Business Bureau, Facebook Marketplace forums, and other consumer sites. This so-called report costs nearly $50, but there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get anything useful — or anything at all.

The scam works because:

• They sound eager to buy but won’t accept any other report.
• They push you to spend money on their shady website.
• Once you pay, they disappear — and you’re out the money.

Legitimate Alternatives I Found

While researching, I came across two safe and affordable options for checking a vehicle’s history:

1. checkvin.io – I was able to get a Carfax report for just $4.99. Much cheaper than the full Carfax site.
2. NICB VINCheck – A free service provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It’s not 100% comprehensive (since not all insurers report to it), but it’s a great first step to see if a car has been in accidents or reported as stolen.

Both of these are legitimate resources and will give buyers peace of mind without falling into a scammer’s trap.

Key Takeaways

• If a buyer demands a report from a specific unknown website, it’s a red flag.
• Stick with well-known or verified resources like Carfax, checkvin.io, or NICB.
• Remember: real buyers will accept a legitimate report — scammers won’t.

Wrap-Up

There are plenty of honest people on Facebook Marketplace, but there are also scammers hoping to catch you off guard. Stay cautious, trust your gut, and remember the old saying: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

At DarkHorse IT, we help businesses and families navigate tech safely every day. If you have questions about staying secure online — whether it’s protecting your accounts, spotting scams, or keeping your business data safe — we’re here for you.

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