NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — While buying a new car is simple, buying a used car takes more work to make sure you’re getting a reliable vehicle at a good price.

Avoiding being the victim of a scam is one thing people need to do, which makes buying a used car even harder.

According to a 2023 Federal Trade Commission report, over 100,000 complaints were issued over four years about car sales, financing, service and warranties, and rentals and leasing.

Here are five tips and tricks to avoid car sale scams.

1. Be weary about prices that seem too good to be true.
   • If the deal looks really good, it could be a scam — as scammers are aware that the car needs maintenance and repairs. This is usually why prices are incredibly low.
2. Don’t buy until you know the history.
   • Look at the vehicle’s history report to know if it’s been in an accident, has title issues, has multiple owners, has any recalls, or has ever been stolen. You can purchase a report if you know the vehicle’s VIN.
3. Take the conversation offline.
   • Reach out to the seller as early as possible and ask questions. If the seller is defensive or aggressive, gives vague answers, or struggles with the location, they could be a scammer.
4. Pay attention to the payment method.
   • Scammers usually use untraceable payment methods like wired funds, prepared gift cards, or digital wallet transfers.
5. Keep a FIXD scanner handy.
   • FIXD is an affordable, user-friendly car diagnostic tool. It provides a comprehensive report of the vehicle and sends it to your phone.

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