Could this be a scam?

[Anonymous]

My nearly 80yo father has an old 2001 truck that he still drives. It has tons of body damage (lots of rust—wouldn’t be surprised if the frame is rusted, minor dents/scratches), it runs but barely. Twice since summer he’s been randomly approached in his driveway by two separate men, asking if he’d be willing to sell his truck (parked in his garage), asking him his price. Both times he’s told them it’s not for sale, but with this latest man, my father took the man’s number and said he’d let him know if he changed his mind.

Could this be a scam? Why would these random men be interested in this beat up truck? KBB says it’s worth around $6000, so I’m thinking it makes sense for a construction/landscape worker who might NEED a truck, cheap, and doesn’t want to spend $80k.

My dad says he’s thinking about it, knows to get a certified check, etc. But I’m wondering if this could be an elderly scam I don’t know about.

[Anonymous]

If your dad wants to sell it, he should advertise. Not say yes to people asking if he wants to sell. Of course it could be a scam - anything could be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your dad wants to sell it, he should advertise. Not say yes to people asking if he wants to sell. Of course it could be a scam - anything could be.

Advertising these days brings out the scammers, too. There just isn’t a “safe” way to sell anymore. It’s such hassle weeding out the scammers.

[Anonymous]

It could be but you won’t know until they offer to pay with cash, a cashiers check, Cash App, or bitcoin. Just have to stay alert through the whole process. Please stay involved. My mother was just scammed for tens of thousands of dollars that I would have prevented if she had just called me before responding to them.

[Anonymous]

Never do any business with anyone who approaches you at home. Never ever, hard and fast rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your dad wants to sell it, he should advertise. Not say yes to people asking if he wants to sell. Of course it could be a scam - anything could be.

Advertising these days brings out the scammers, too. There just isn’t a “safe” way to sell anymore. It’s such hassle weeding out the scammers.

Carmax or a dealer.

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily a scam as in fake, but clearly they think they can purchase it for less than its worth.

[Anonymous]

I would try Carmax.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they want it for parts? Or they are into restoring. Your dad should ask why and see if the answer makes sense.

It could be a scam, but likely now.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t sell a beat up car to someone who knows my address. What if they are not happy with the car and come back to harass me.

[Anonymous]

No cashier’s check! Those can be faked. Had a friend who ended up on the hook. Cash only. Better to sell through a third party (car max, mechanic, etc) if you can.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, we have an old (20 plus years) Landcruiser and get offers regularly. Some trucks are really desirable. When we have it at the mechanic’s the owner always asks if we want to sell because he will have two of three people asking him if it’s available every time it’s in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No cashier’s check! Those can be faked. Had a friend who ended up on the hook. Cash only. Better to sell through a third party (car max, mechanic, etc) if you can.

Just call the bank and verify the check. Takes 5 minutes over the phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try Carmax.

I don’t think Carmax buys 23-year-old rust buckets

[Anonymous]

There is a big demand for late model pickup trucks.