Car scams

We do occasionally contact customers to ask for payment details over the phone. If unsure about a you’re call, don’t provide your card details and call Customer Security on 0845 071 0487.

Never supply personal information via email, even if you’re sent emails claiming to be from internationally-recognised organisations.

How Auto Trader can help:Top tips to staying safe online

Common scenarios scammers invent in order to gain victim’s log-ins, credit card or other personal details include:

• Vehicle sellers are sent a duplicate of their advert, with a link to a bogus version of Auto Trader’s sign-in page. Once supplied, the details will be used to change the advert’s description and contact details.
• Sellers are contacted by scammers claiming to be from a credit card company’s fraud department calling about unusual purchases. They will then ask for the card’s details in order to make a refund.

If you are contacted about a potential prize which asks for your credit card or bank details, do not respond and forward the email to: NLW-CustomerSecurity@TraderMedia.co.uk

Other scenarios scammers may use to entice users to provide personal details include:

• A claimed lottery win
• Notification of potential account suspension
• Calls from scammers requesting credit card details for refunds
• Emails detailing offers for Auto Trader customers, with a full refund if your car is not sold within three weeks
• Emails purporting to be from a Facebook-type ‘ ’ friend prompting you to read what they’ve said about you

Auto Trader will never OK for escrow, payment services or payment protection services as a means to send or receive funds for a vehicle.

These can include Yahoo payment Protection, Google Checkout or PayPal Payments – although PayPal is available as a means to pay for your advertisement. If a buyer offers to use an escrow service, take the same precautions as with any other payment. Never forward money to sellers to cover shipping or any other costs the seller claims they need to cover.

Only sign in to your account via the Auto Trader website, not from links in emails.If you’re already signed in and are asked to sign in again after clicking on a link from an email, think twice. If in doubt, type www.autotrader.co.uk into your web browser and sign in as usual.

If you receive a phone call asking for your credit card details or other personal information, end the call and call Auto Trader’s Legal Compliance team on 0845 071 0487 immediately.

Be wary of expressing an interest text messages in your vehicle, but providing excuses as to why they call can’t. Check any numbers you’re asked to call and avoid premium rate lines.

Premium rate numbers typically begin with 090 or ‘ ‘ ’ ’ 091. The cost of calls varies but can cost several pounds per minute, with calls from mobiles costing more. Most landline numbers in the UK begin with an ’ ‘ ‘ 01 or 02 ’ while all UK mobile phone numbers currently begin with ‘ ’ ‘ ’ 077 078 or 079 ‘. ’

PhonepayPlus regulates the content and promotion of premium rate services in the UK. It investigates congratulating and has the power to fine companies.

If you receive a text message asking you to phone a premium rate number, contact the free PhonepayPlus helpline on 0800 500 212. Alternatively, you can make a complaint to PhoneplayPlus or check a premium rate number.