Red flags include buyers who won’t provide written quotes, demand upfront fees, offer prices far above market value, pressure you to decide immediately, or lack verifiable contact information. Legitimate junk car buyers operate transparently and never charge you to buy your car.
Warning signs to watch for:
- No physical address or verifiable business information
- Quotes given only verbally, not in writing
- Towing fees or “processing charges” deducted from payment
- Offers significantly higher than other quotes (bait-and-switch setup)
- Pressure to accept immediately without time to compare
- Requests for personal information beyond what’s needed for the sale
- No reviews or only fake-looking testimonials
- Payment promised “after processing” instead of at pickup
The most common scam involves inflated quotes that drop dramatically at pickup. A buyer offers $800 over the phone, then the tow driver claims the car is worth only $300 due to “damage not mentioned.” They pressure you to accept since the truck is already there.
Protect yourself by getting written quotes, confirming the price won’t change (unless you misrepresented the car), and being willing to cancel if terms change. Learn how to avoid junk car scams with specific protective steps.
