Selling a car online is one of the fastest ways to turn your old vehicle into cash. However, selling online means you have to look out for scammers. List your car on places such as Local Sales Network, be sure you have a detailed description and lots of pictures. The pictures should be clear. Buyers should focus on ads that provide good, clear photographs and a detailed description. Ads with very little information and no pictures or blurry pictures could be a scam. Selling your car to sites that buy cars is quicker and safer.

Do Not Wire Money

Many buyers will ask if they can wire money. Never accept this. Only accept cash, cashier’s check or money order from buyers. If someone is bringing a personal check, meet the person at your bank and have the bank verify funds. However, keep in mind that during the day or two it takes for the check to clear, the buyer could empty the account. It’s best not to accept personal check. If cash is not practical because of the cost of the car, meet the buyer at his or her bank and have the buyer pay by certified check. When the buyer gets the certified check, the bank removes the money at the time it prints check. Since people might forge certified checks, it’s better to have the buyer get the check issued while you are standing there.

If you are selling to an online site, they will give you an estimate of what your vehicle is worth and then inspect your vehicle. The site representatives will give you a check onsite.

Request a Phone Conversation

Emails and texts are standard when buying and selling items online. When you are selling your vehicle, insist on having a phone conversation with the buyer. Scammers often spoof emails and texts. If the buyer refuses to speak with you on the phone, move on to the next buyer. During the phone conversation, listen for anything that doesn’t sound right or if the buyer starts making weird demands. Decline the sale if your gut tells you that you are dealing with someone who could be a scammer.

If you are selling to an online site that buys vehicles, the representative gives you a call. Do not go through with the transaction unless you speak with someone.

Meet in a Safe Place and Never Go Alone

In today’s day and age, you can ever be too careful. First, make the meeting place a safe zone that the police set up, or if your city doesn’t have safe zones, then meet in a very public place with lots of people. Safe zones have video surveillance. Always bring someone with you to meet the buyer. Before allowing the buyer to test drive your vehicle, ask to see his or her license. If the buyer does not have a valid driver’s license, do not let him or her drive your vehicle.

Even if you are selling your vehicle to an online dealer, if you do not feel comfortable meeting at your home, arrange to meet somewhere you do feel comfortable, such as at a friend's house, at the police station, or even at the bank.

Document, Document, Document

Always keep a paper trail. Keep a copy of the title. Make sure that you and the buyer sign a bill of sale that states the vehicle is “as is” and has no warranty and that no warranty is implied. If it’s feasible, take a picture of the buyer’s driver’s license. And keep the buyer’s contact information. You should keep the information for at least a year. Never rely on the other person to document anything. Even if you are dealing with an online car-buying site, keep documentation of the transaction.