Two from Walton County fall victim to online car sale scams: WCSO

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Two Walton County residents have reportedly fallen victim to online car sale scams, losing both their vehicles and the money they thought they had received from the buyer.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), two car sellers advertised their vehicles, a 2021 Porsche and a 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Both were then contacted by alleged buyers who claimed to have transferred the money into the sellers’ bank accounts.

Trusting the apparent transactions, the sellers left their cars unlocked with the keys inside so the buyers could pick them up.

However, days later, the sellers realized that the money had never actually been transferred into their accounts.

By then, their cars had disappeared.

The Porsche was last seen in New Orleans, where it was involved in a police chase, while the Dodge Challenger was captured on camera in Texas.

To prevent similar incidents, the WCSO advises:

• Use safe locations, such as their designated exchange points, for transactions
• Verify the identity of all parties involved
• Never leave vehicles unsecured or with keys accessible to strangers
• Remove identifying tags from vehicles to prevent tracking
• Ensure proper documentation, including bills of sale and title transfers
• Verify payment transactions with your bank before finalizing deal
• Trust your instincts and seek advice if suspicion arises

According to the WCSO, by following these precautions, residents can avoid falling victim to online scams and protect themselves when buying or selling vehicles.