As the demand for motorhome holidays increases the Motorhome and campervan scams are on the rise, as more and more people are looking to buy these vehicles for their holidays and leisure activities. The simplest way to ensure that none of these scams lands at your doorstep is to be aware of what is out there. Over and over we hear of people who think this will not happen to them. It becomes a big shock when the realisation that you have lost money or even worse their leisure vehicle. People think that they will be covered by their motorhome insurance however so will find out the hard way at times that is not the case. Insurance has no grey areas its black or white no grey areas you are covered or not.
Fake Listings
Scammers will often create fake listings for motorhomes and campervans that are too good to be true. These listings will often be priced well below market value, and they may include unrealistic features or specifications. When you contact the seller, they will often ask for a deposit or payment upfront, before you have even seen the vehicle.
Overpayment Scams
This is a long term and still goes on today the scammer will send you a cheque for more than the asking price of the motorhome or campervan. They will then ask you to pay them by bank transfer the difference. However, the main cheque payment will eventually bounce, and you will be left out of pocket. Making sure you are receiving cleared funds with your bank is a simple way to not fall for any suggestions of overpayment.
Advance Fee Fraud
You find a popular motorhome that is in demand and the scammer plays on this asking you to pay an upfront fee in order to secure the motorhome or campervan. This is where you need to make sure that the leisure vehicle is for real. Checking the registration number may not quite protect you. Before paying any form of deposit take out a HPi check to find out if it is on finance or has been a total loss. They may claim that this fee is for insurance, taxes, or shipping do not be fooled into believing what seems ok at the time. However, once you have paid the fee, you will never hear from the scammer again.
Fake Shipping Scams
The so-called vendor will tell you that they have shipped the motorhome or campervan to you, this may be them telling you that they want to avoid storage costs and that they trust you. But, they will then ask you to pay additional fees for shipping or customs. However, the vehicle will never arrive, and you will have lost your money.
Are scams frauds thefts insured?
When being covered by insurance against certain thefts that may exclude because of the clauses for claims made. Your policy can show you the excesses may be more than first thought. Only now do you realise that that cheaper policy may be at the cost of a larger excess? But there are other more relevant things to consider. As shown in the policy documentation, theft affects the claim if it shows that you were negligent for example;
- damage or loss due to wear and tear, failures breakdowns
- breakages of mechanical, electrical or computer equipment.
- loss or damage between sanitary systems in storage
- any accessories not permanently attached to your vehicle
- loss or damage as a result of deception
- theft or attempted theft if left unlocked
- windows/roof panel/skylight left open
- keys left in your vehicle
- vehicle taken without consent by a member of your family
- loss of fuel, food and drink
Motorhomes Campervans scams frauds thefts increasing
Here are some tips to help you avoid motorhome and campervan scams
Following tips about any scams is well worth the effort especially, if you can help to protect yourself from the motorhome and campervan scams. It does happen and the sooner you realise that it could be your turn to be targeted the better. There is always that moment when you realise that making the wrong decision can be very costly. The old saying “if in doubt do nought” really is the best advice to consider avoiding scams.
Do your research on owners’ forums
Starting out looking to buy a leisure vehicle it may be a good idea to make a list of what to avoid. The best way before you buy a motorhome or campervan, do your research and find a reputable dealer or seller. Don’t dismiss talking to a motorhome owner not all are scammers but check out online reviews and look for any red flags. If the price of motorhomes and campervans looks to be unrealistic price or not use repeated poor grammar in the listing. Just consider what is being described even if it has been on a large website do not be fooled by a cheap offer.
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
The one thing that really does attract scammers is advertising cheap prices and providing reasons to buy. They use all of those trips and if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. No doubt using the “must sell” due to many reasons really can be very difficult to avoid. People feel sorry for reasons for selling like divorce or bereavement scammers often use low prices to lure in unsuspecting buyers with no holds barred.
Never pay a deposit upfront
The idea of paying a deposit upfront must be avoided at all costs. Follow this rule to avoid any conflicts never pay any money upfront before you have seen the motorhome or campervan in person. Checking the ownership can be as simple as checking with a dealer if they have serviced it in the past. If the seller asks for a deposit, be sure to get it in writing and make sure that it is refundable. Checking the vehicle is one thing checking the owner is just as important, names in registration documents and in-service records and being clear of finance are very important.
Use a secure payment method
The days are long gone of accepting a cheque as payment at a motorhome show, without having it cleared and confirmed. When you do pay for the motorhome or campervan, use a secure payment method like online banking. This will give you some protection if the transaction goes wrong. People wanting to pay in cash avoid it at all costs. You may be asked to invoice a finance company again buyer beware comes to mind.
Selling to a reliable agent
Every day we talk to motorhome and campervan owners so for “we buy any motorcaravan” the security of buying a motorhome or campervan from someone’s home is important to protect people from scams and any form of fraud. Making sure that the owner vendor is confident that they will be paid and treated with a full and friendly service is important.
Trust Pilot 5-star reviews
Having over 800 happy people who have provided a trust pilot review and virtually all 5 stars should provide confidence when dealing with the “we buy and motorcaravan” team. Trusting someone who knows that a review of service is second to none has made being a cash buyer calling at your doorstep so important to trust the services provided. This is an essential part of what “we buy any motorcaravan” is all about.
