Marketplace safety

Read this before you send money. Most scams follow the same patterns; spotting one is easy when you know what to look for.

For buyers

Always inspect in person. No exceptions on a vehicle. If the seller can't show it to you, walk away.
Verify the title + VIN. The VIN on the dashboard, door jamb, and chassis should all match the paperwork. The seller must be the registered owner.
Never wire money before delivery. No bank transfers, no crypto, no "shipping companies that hold the payment." Cash in person, escrow at a reputable bank, or wire only AFTER you have the keys + title in hand.
Be skeptical of urgency + below-market prices. Scammers rush you with stories: "moving abroad," "deployment," "must sell this weekend." Real sellers can wait a few days for you to do due diligence.
Reverse-image search the photos. Stolen photos show up in 30 seconds. Google Images → drag the photo → if it hits 20 other ads, walk away.
Get a pre-purchase inspection. A 1–2 hour PPI from an independent mechanic catches most issues. Worth every cent on a multi-thousand-dollar purchase.

Don't ship before payment clears. Bank wires can be reversed for up to 30 days. Wait for the funds to fully clear (your bank can confirm) before handing over the vehicle.
Beware overpayment scams. "I'll send you $X more, please forward the difference to my shipper." Classic check-bounce / wire-recall scam. Never refund part of a payment.
Meet in a safe public place. Bank parking lot, police-station "safe trade zone" if your area has one. Bring someone with you. Daytime hours.
Take payment in person. Cash, bank cashier's check (verified with the issuing bank before signing over the title), or a same-day wire confirmed by phone with your bank.
Sign a simple bill of sale. Both parties, vehicle details, price, date, "as-is" language. Take a photo of the buyer's ID. Cover yourself.

We review every listing before it goes live to filter out the most obvious junk and stock-image listings. We're a small team — we miss things. Use the Report button on any listing that looks off.
We never see your contact info as a buyer. When you message a seller, your email goes to them via our email proxy. Your address isn't published, sold, or shared.
We don't hold money, escrow funds, or facilitate shipping. Anyone claiming to do those things "through OverlandingWorld" is lying. If a deal mentions us as the middleman, it's a scam.
We don't endorse listings. Reviewed ≠ verified. Do your own diligence on every transaction.