Fraudulent adverts are placed by thieves posing as sellers, often involving a hoax car at a bargain price, a faulty phone number and demands to transfer money abroad.

Typical scenario:

• The phone number is either faulty or diverting to voicemail.
  
• During email correspondence, the seller will say they are unable to use the phone due to illness or because they are away on business.
• The seller will ask you to wire a large deposit or the full price of the car to them before creating an excuse to avoid releasing the vehicle, telling you to transfer more money or becoming impossible to contact.

Be cautious if:

• A Figaro is much cheaper than its market value.
  
• If a seller cannot give you a landline telephone number.
• If the advert or subsequent emails are full of spelling mistakes and poor grammar.

Top tips to avoid fraudulent sellers:

1. Payment
Never wire money abroad or pay a large deposit and don’t hand over money until you’ve seen the car and are satisfied it and the seller are genuine.

2. Price
Check the vehicle’s market value by getting a car valuation or comparing the price with other similar models on Auto Trader – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Visit the seller
Never buy a Figaro without viewing and driving it first and always view the car at the seller’s home, checking the address matches the one on the V5C registration document (logbook).

4. Figaro history check
A Figaro history check can confirm registration details, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and tell you if a car is recorded as stolen or is subject to outstanding finance.

5. Paperwork
Ask to see the logbook, service history and MOT certificates and examine them thoroughly before handing over any money – make sure all documents are the originals and not photocopies.

If you suspect anything, walk away, there will always be another Figaro!

Forward it to the Figaro Trader Customer Service team –

If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, contact Figaro Trader immediately by emailing figarotrader@o2.co.uk