AA Carfair have the following tips to help you trade safely

Unfortunately, not all traders are bona fide. From time to time various scams are in operation.

AA Carfair has a rigorous anti-scam process in place but hoax, counterfeit, bogus and stolen vehicles or enquiries can slip through and appear as the real deal. It is common for fraudsters to ask for contact via another email address and ask for payment for goods by non-traceable means.

AA Carfair does not offer a facility to verify transactions or pass on information between buyers and sellers. We will not act as an intermediary or arrange or confirm shipping arrangements. We do not direct users from an email straight to a payment or 'shopping cart' page.

Do not hesitate to report fraud and doubtful items / traders by calling us toll free on 0800 227 3247.

Tips for safely buying a car

• Always read the advertisement description carefully and ask questions. Check the registration status, whether there is any money owing on the car and whether the vehicle has been reported as stolen. The AA offers a Vehicle History check service which will provide this information.
• While we run suspect trader processes and work with the NZ Police, you should always be aware of the ‘too good to be true’ ad and emails advertising cars with unusually low sale prices. These emails provide detailed information on the vehicle, which is often located abroad, and pressure the buyer into making a payment to secure the car for a viewing.
• Treat any international enquiry with extreme caution. Overseas bogus sellers are a common scam – they may contact you directly or pretend to be reputable organisations.
• Do your research before sending any money to anyone:
  • Do not deposit any money into non NZ bank accounts.
  • Do not send money for fees.
  • Do not send anything over Western Union.
• Check any confirmation emails from Paypal – they do not send confirmation emails to non-transacting parties. Confirm any details and do not believe emails alone.
• Do not reply to any emails asking you to confirm or supply website login or credit card details.
• Do not reply to any emails that are from “AA Carfair” congratulating you for buying a car.
• You can also check http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scamwatch/index.html

Tips for safely selling your car

• Protect yourself against unauthorised access to your advertisement by only logging on through an AA Carfair website address i.e. www.aacarfair.co.nz. If you think your advertisement has been accessed by an unauthorised person contact us toll free on 0800 227 3247.
• Find out who you are dealing with. Ask for a name and contact phone number - ring the number to check if it is legitimate.
• Do not reply to any emails asking you to confirm or supply website login or credit card details.
• Do not reply to any emails that are from “AA Carfair” congratulating you for selling your vehicle.
• Do not accept requests for ‘overpayment’ where you need to reimburse the buyer especially if they are based overseas – this is a common scam.

Recommended payment methods

Some payment options offer more protection than others, so be sure to select a method of payment that makes you feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable it is best to walk away from the deal.

Remember: It is essential for you to trust the seller and are sure the car is genuine before parting with any money, even if it’s a small deposit.

Payment options include:

• Pay on pick-up – This is a good option for higher value goods and local buying. You’ll be able inspect the goods to ensure they are as advertised
• Cash – This is a tried and true option has been used for thousands of years. We suggest you get a receipt.
• Cheque – This is a recommended option if agreeable to the seller. You give or send the seller a personal or bank cheque to pay for the item. Most banks will allow you to cancel a cheque before it is cashed if a problem arises.
• Internet bank payment – You deposit the payment directly into the seller's bank account through internet banking. You’ve got the seller's bank account number, which is of course traceable. Do not deposit any money into non-NZ bank accounts.
• Credit card – This option allows you to benefit from your credit card’s protection clauses. However, we suggest you find out the detail of the protection from your credit card issuer.
• Loss or damage claims via the post such as parts, spares or manuals: The buyer claims to not have received the goods or they have arrived damaged. You can contact NZ Post about lost and damaged items.

Remember: It is essential for you to trust the seller and are sure the car is genuine before parting with any money, even if it’s a small deposit.