Buying used parts online can save you thousands of dollars compared to buying from the dealership, but it also comes with a risk. Online scams are becoming increasingly common. Especially when buying on Facebook and Instagram. We have had many fake accounts posing as us and using our pictures to scam people. Here are some tips on how to spot a scammer when buying BMW parts online.

Price

• The first sign of a scam when looking at a part would be the price.
• If it’s too good to be true, then it’s probably a scam.
• Check other marketplaces such as eBay for comparable parts to see what the average price is.

Proof

• Scammers will often use stock photos or photos stolen from other sellers online.
• Ask the seller to provide a very specific picture of the part to prove he has the part on hand.
• Ask the seller to write his name on a piece of paper and to take a photo of it placed on the part.
• If they cannot provide this for you, then it’s likely a scam.

Do your research

• If the seller is on Facebook or Instagram, then go through their recent posts.
• Are all the parts/photos posted within a short period of time?
• Take note of the background, are all the photos taken in different locations with different backgrounds?
• Scammers will gather photos from other sellers and post them over the course of a few weeks or months. If all the photos have different backgrounds, then the seller is most likely a scammer.
• If they are posing as a business, call the business directly or message them on another platform to confirm it is truly them.
• Pay attention to the comments and likes on the posts. Scammers will buy followers to make their account look reputable. If they have lots of followers, they should have lots of likes and comments as well.

Payment

• Safe transactions are key when buying things online
• Scammers will likely only accept payment methods without buyer protection.
• They will want to use Cash-App, Venmo, PayPal Friends and Family, Wire Transfer, Etc.
• Stick with PayPal Goods and Services or have the seller post the item on eBay. These methods give you protection against scams.

Additional Tips:

• Scammers rely on you paying for a part which they will then never ship out. To test this, you can ask the seller where they are located. No matter where the location is, tell them you would like to come pick the part up in person. Since the scammer does not actually have the part, they would then come up with excuses as to why you can’t pick it up and that they can only ship it.
• Take note of the communication. Scammers will often avoid answering technical questions and push for quick payment. They will tell you they have other buyers interested and that you need to pay ASAP.