LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS OF VEHICLE PURCHASING SCAM
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is cautioning citizens about purchasing vehicles through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace and other private seller platforms.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, they have seen an increase in cases involving fraudulent vehicle titles, VIN tampering, title jumping, and stolen vehicles being sold online.
In many situations, buyers do not discover the issue until attempting to register the vehicle with the county tax office, or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Before purchasing a vehicle online, they encourage the public to please keep the following safety tips in mind:
• Verify that the VIN on the vehicle matches the title and registration paperwork
• Ensure that the seller’s identification matches the name listed on the title
• Be cautious of prices significantly below market value
• Avoid sellers who refuse to meet at a safe public location, or at the tax office
• Do not purchase vehicles with altered, incomplete, or unsigned titles
• Request a bill of sale and keep copies of all messages and payment records
• Run a vehicle history/title check before purchasing
• Be cautious of recently created online profiles or sellers who pressure you to act quickly
Citizens are encouraged to meet in safe, public locations and, whenever possible, complete transactions during normal business hours.
If you believe you may have purchased a stolen vehicle or received fraudulent title paperwork, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.