The Kansas Highway Patrol is cautioning buyers about the potential risks of making purchases on Facebook Marketplace.
Troopers made a noteworthy recovery on Saturday, Feb. 9, when they located a stolen vehicle in Wichita, Kansas. The 2020 Dodge Charger had been reported stolen out of Claycomo, Missouri, but was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace as a 2016 Dodge Charger.
Law enforcement officials have discovered that the vehicle, despite the misinformation regarding its year, was listed for sale at a significantly reduced price and with a requirement for cash-only transactions.
Buyers should be cautious when purchasing vehicles on open-source marketplaces, as investigators have discovered that the reprogrammed key fobs include uncut replacement keys for a 2020 Charger.
Buyers can ensure their safety by conducting thorough research on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s complimentary VINCheck service. This will enable them to determine if a vehicle has been reported as stolen. It is important to note that vehicles listed at a price significantly below the fair market value, specifically $20,000 or more, are likely to have been stolen.
When purchasing a vehicle, it is important for buyers to consider the seller’s credibility. It is recommended to check the seller’s membership duration on the listing site and review any available history or feedback. If a seller insists on cash payments only, this should be seen as a warning sign.
When it comes to a vehicle’s title, Troopers suggest looking for titles that are from out-of-state. According to them, while many thieves are familiar with what a Kansas title looks like, not as many are familiar with titles from other states.
