7 Warning Signs of Vintage Collectible Cars Scams on Folksy

Unrealistically Low Prices: If a listing for a rare or desirable vintage car appears significantly below market value, it's a major red flag. Scammers often use attractive pricing to lure unsuspecting buyers.

Stolen or Manipulated Imagery: Be wary of listings with stock photos or images that appear to have been digitally altered to remove original seller information. Scammers frequently steal images from legitimate listings to create fake advertisements.

Pressure to Act Fast or Pay Upfront: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming multiple buyers are interested or that the deal must be finalized immediately. They may also demand upfront payment via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards before you can inspect the vehicle.

Seller Refusal for Inspection or In-Person Meeting: Legitimate sellers of valuable items like vintage cars are usually willing to arrange for an in-person inspection or a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic. A seller who refuses this is highly suspicious.

Off-Platform Communication and Payment Requests: If a seller insists on moving the conversation or payment off Folksy, especially to less secure methods like direct PayPal invoicing outside of Folksy's managed system, treat it with extreme caution. This is often an attempt to bypass platform protections.

Overpayment Check Fraud: Be extremely cautious if a buyer offers to pay more than the agreed price and asks you to return the difference. This is a common scam involving counterfeit checks, where the funds will eventually be reversed, leaving you liable.

Vague or Evasive Descriptions and Seller History: Scammers often provide minimal details about the car's condition, history, or provenance. Check the seller's profile and feedback. A lack of history or consistently poor reviews can be a significant warning sign.