VSTAG

17/02/10

Motors.co.uk, Auto Trader, eBay Motors, Exchange & Mart and the Metropolitan police join together to combat vehicle related fraud

Motors.co.uk, Auto Trader, eBay Motors, Exchange & Mart and the Metropolitan police have joined together in partnership to form the Vehicle Safe Trading Advisory Group (VSTAG), an industry forum created to combat vehicle related fraud.

While buying or selling a vehicle is usually straightforward, both buyers and sellers can leave themselves open to becoming the victim of fraud and other crimes. VSTAG urges consumers to be careful not to let the excitement of buying or selling a vehicle compromise their safety or money.

VSTAG, which is targeting online and print-related fraud, is now sharing information on known and suspected fraudulent adverts as well as developing and exchanging best practice within the industry.

Adrian Black, vice-chair of VSTAG and director of business development and operations here at motors.co.uk said:

‘We are pleased to be working together in partnership to protect both buyers and sellers of vehicles. We are doing as much as we can to develop and implement additional security measures to make online classified advertising safer for consumers.

‘However we also urge people to exercise caution when engaging in the sale and purchase of vehicles, particularly private sales, and to arm themselves with as much information as possible, including the advice in our safe buying and selling guides.

‘Remember if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.‘

 For the motors.co.uk guide to safer buying, click here.

For the motors.co.uk guide to safer selling, click here.

To visit the VSTAG web site, click here.