Car and truck buyers, beware: if you're purchasing a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace, be cautious.
Carolyn Marrow, a recent truck buyer, has a cautionary tale for all of us. She shared with Fox 59 in Indianapolis how she was deceived by the seller of a 2022 GMC Sierra pickup. Now, she's not just out of the $27,000 cash, but also her dream truck.
Carolyn thought the seller was legitimate, and she was buying her dream vehicle, a GMC Sierra AT4 pickup. Here is her unbelievable story, along with a warning for car buyers.
She said, "I saved for three years to buy a decent vehicle for my kids and myself. The GMC Sierra AT4 was my dream vehicle. The Facebook Marketplace seller scammed me out of $27,000, and now, I don't have the money or the truck," she says as she dejectedly looks down.
How Did Carolyn Get Scammed?
The report says, "On Facebook Marketplace, Carolyn found a black 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 with 100,000 miles. She ran the VIN through CarFax and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and it all checked out."
Running a vehicle report to check for a salvage title, accidents, and other issues, as well as checking the National Insurance Crime Bureau, are prudent steps to take. But it wasn't enough.
She Did More Right Things
She then met the seller outside her bank in Johnson County, Indiana, which she thought was a safe place for a test drive. It's also a good idea for used vehicle buyers to meet in a public place, such as a bank or the police department parking lot when buying a used vehicle from a private party.
Carolyn's diligence was commendable. She found her perfect vehicle and took every possible measure to ensure this truck seller on Facebook Marketplace wasn't duping her. She meticulously checked that the vehicle identification number (VIN) matched the one on the title, as indicated by the windshield ID, door ID, and glove box.
"I wanted to verify that everything was legitimate. It's a good deal. Is it a good deal? Trust but verify. I did everything to verify," Carolyn said, who is the mother of six children.
They All Matched
Carolyn thought it was a legitimate seller, and because the GMC Sierra checked out, she had the seller meet at her home. She handed over $27,000 in cash to an unidentified male seller.
He drove off, and she immediately went to her county's Department of Motor Vehicles. However, when she went to get license plates, she got the bad news. The cost of the license tags, including taxes and registration, was $2,140.45. This was a lot more than she expected. But she still needed to pay it to get it registered and licensed.
Carolyn Gets More Bad News
Carolyn was in for a rude awakening. When she handed over the title to the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 pickup at the county clerk's office, she was met with a shocking revelation. The clerk's words, 'This VIN does not match this truck. The VIN on this title is for a 2020 GMC pickup,' hit her like a ton of bricks.
Carolyn was in shock because she checked multiple sources and locations on the truck for the VIN, except one.
After conducting further research, she discovered that she could check one more place: the truck's frame.
"I scraped everything underneath. I know I sound crazy; it's a mom thing. Someone robbed me, and something is not right," Carolyn said.
Under the truck, on the frame, she discovered a separate VIN, the real number belonging to the GMC Sierra AT4 she purchased. She then realized what she thought was a 2022 pickup was a 2020 model year vehicle.
Carolyn later discovered from the police that the truck she purchased on Facebook Marketplace had been reported stolen in January 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
"I had a sinking feeling. I just knew I had been had, and I was not okay with it," she said to Fox 59 reporter Rafael Sanchez.
I See Two Red Flags
#1 Warning Flag - The GMC Sierra Carolyn bought on Facebook Marketplace had 100,000 miles. That's a significant number of miles for any 2022 model-year vehicle. The average mileage on a private party vehicle is around 12,000 miles a year. The truck should have had around 42,000 - 45,000 after 3.5 years.
After 3.5 years, that translates to nearly 30,000 miles per year, which would be a huge red flag. Even if it were a legitimate pickup, the mileage would be enough reason to walk away.
#2 Warning Flag - A 2022 GMC Sierra is currently worth between $40,643 and $64,297. The exact value depends on factors like mileage, condition, options, and location.
For example, Kelley Blue Book lists a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Crew Cab AT4 with 5 3/4 ft bed having a resale value of $40,643 and a trade-in value of $37,597.
The seller was selling the GMC Sierra for too little, at $27,000, or $10,000 to $13,000 under book value for a private party sale. The low price drew in Carolyn. It's what she could afford, and she took the bait.
Many used car buyers are now using Facebook Marketplace as a place to find vehicles.
How can you protect yourself from fraud? If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. It's wise to be cautious to avoid potential fraud.
Here's a breakdown of steps to protect yourself:
1. Research the Seller:
- Bankrate advises, "Review their profile: Check the seller's profile or business page for warning signs, such as a new account, a small number of friends, or limited information."
- Fake Facebook Accounts: Check the seller's Marketplace history. Look for any past listings that seem suspicious or have received negative reviews.
- Be wary of high-pressure tactics: Scammers often try to rush you into a transaction.
- Verify their identity and ownership: Ensure the seller's driver's license name matches the name on the registration and title.
- Look for discrepancies in the ad: If the photos or description seem off, it could be a sign of a scam.
2. Inspect the Vehicle:
- KeySavvy says take a look at the vehicle in person: Arrange to meet in a safe, public place, preferably during the day. You may even consider meeting at a police station.
- Bring a friend or family member: Having someone with you adds an extra layer of safety and security.
- Inspect the vehicle thoroughly: Check the vehicle identification number (VIN), description, and photos to ensure they match the vehicle.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection: Arrange for a trusted mechanic to inspect the truck for any potential issues.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true: Unrealistic prices are often a red flag.
3. Payment:
- Norton advises against making upfront payments: Don't send money or deposits without inspecting the vehicle in person.
- Use secure payment methods: Consider cash (for in-person transactions), PayPal, or Facebook Checkout (for eligible transactions).
- Be cautious of requests for gift cards or wire transfers, since these are often used in scams and can be difficult to trace.
- If paying by cash, consider meeting at a bank: This allows for secure deposit and verification of the funds.
- Be wary of overpayment scams: If a buyer "accidentally" overpays and asks for a refund, verify the payment before sending any money back.
4. Documentation:
- Ensure you receive a clear title: Verify there are no existing loans or liens on the vehicle.
- Complete the bill of sale, and make sure it includes the names and addresses of both parties, the odometer reading, the purchase price, and the vehicle's VIN.
5. Additional Tips:
- Communicate only through Facebook Messenger: This helps maintain a record of the conversation.
- Don't share personal information unnecessarily: Avoid giving out your phone number or email address.
- Report suspicious activity to Facebook: If you encounter a scammer, report them to help protect others.
Conclusion:
By following these tips and using your best judgment, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud like Carolyn when buying a truck on Facebook Marketplace.
Have You Recently Purchased a Vehicle on Facebook Marketplace? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know about your experience.
Check out my Ford F-150 Facebook Marketplace scam story: I Flew To Houston to Buy a Ford F-150, It Was An Elaborate Facebook Marketplace Scam Says Sheriff’s Office, I’m Out Thousands of Dollars and the Truck
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Fox 59
