Consumer Watch with Natasha Pirrottina: Tips on how not to fall victim to fake auto parts scams on Facebook

How’s that vintage car project going? Or maybe you’re mechanically minded and know how to replace a few simple parts. You could even be looking to save a dollar or two by sourcing second hand bits and bobs for your car. Whatever the reason, you’ve probably looked on Facebook Marketplace to source parts for your car, truck or motorcycle. Consumer Protection’s ScamNet team are urging you to be cautious when dealing with these online marketplace sellers as there is a concerning trend for scammers to impersonate genuine auto wreckers, and car and motorcycle parts businesses. Typically they offer parts, tyres and second-hand engines at too-good-to-be-true prices and will ask for payment in full plus shipping costs via bank transfer. Once these grubs receive the money, the Messenger conversation will be blocked. You never receive the parts, and your hard-earned money is gone. One victim lost $700 after asking for a business recommendation in a car enthusiast group on Facebook. In a two-pronged attack, someone recommended the fake parts business first by tagging them in the comments, so it appears legitimate. After transferring the money, the scammer told the victim they had other parts he needed. The victim became suspicious when the scammer asked for the second lot of money to be transferred to a different bank account. After questioning this he was blocked and his $700 was gone. Some of the fake business profiles are using the legitimate business’ photos, images and address details to convince people they are genuine. Perth-based businesses also become victims of the scam, as they have to deal with unhappy people demanding the parts they have paid a scammer for. One auto wrecker reported their business being used by a scammer to sell second-hand engines for around $3000, which would normally retail for more than $10,000. Maintaining a healthy scepticism when using Facebook Marketplace can help keep you safe from these types of scams. Reverse image search pictures used in the listing and even the profile of the seller to see if the images are from somewhere else. Independently research the company details and contact them directly using the number you find on their official website to confirm you are dealing with the genuine business. If you can, view the parts in person. Spend some time researching the page as there are some telltale signs it might not be legitimate. If it was created recently, it’s most likely a scam. Check the “page transparency” under the About section — this can reveal if there have been name changes — fake pages change regularly depending on what scam they are engaging in. When it comes to paying, do not pay via bank transfer. Instead, look for secure payment options like credit card or PayPal, which offer better protection and allow for chargebacks in case of issues. And finally, do not provide personal identification documents as these scams can also be used to steal your identity. If you’ve been scammed by a fake Facebook Marketplace seller, report it to scamnet.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54. If your business is being used as a front for scammers, the team also want to know so they can assist in getting the fake pages shut down. Natasha Pirrottina is senior regional officer for Consumer Protection in the Mid West