Be Aware: Don’t Get Scammed

Recognize signs of fraud and use these best practices to safely buy and sell items on KSL.

Staying Safe on KSL

Protecting you from fraud is a top priority for our Marketplace team. We actively work to block suspicious access to our products from areas outside the U.S., and we require interested buyers to log in before contacting you.

Your email address is not visible to the public. Buyers must contact sellers through KSL’s protected messaging platform.

It’s also important that you take steps to protect yourself. Watch for suspicious activity and take precautions if something seems out of the ordinary or inconsistent.

Suspicious Activity When Selling

• The buyer asks you to verify your account using a Google code.
• The buyer asks you to pay with an uncommon or unfamiliar payment app.
• The buyer says they are currently out of the country.
• The buyer explains that a third party or service will pick up or deliver the item.
• The email or text inquiry is not specific to your item, seems odd, or contains grammatical errors.
• The buyer requests authentication or requires a history report on the item or vehicle through an unknown source, often with an accompanying website link.
• The buyer sends a link that appears to be a KSL.com login. Never open links sent by buyers or sellers that seem abnormal.
• The buyer claims KSL Classifieds or KSL Cars will handle the transaction.
• The buyer or seller asks to have money wired.
• If a buyer is paying in cash, count the money to ensure the full payment is given. This is especially important for large transactions.

Vehicle History Report Scams

The buyer may ask you to verify your vehicle history through an unfamiliar report provider or website. Be cautious of requests involving sites such as:

• http://premiumauditrecords.com/
• http://autoreportlabs.com
• http://nationalpremiumpaper.com/
• evinrecorder.com

Overpayment Scams

Be cautious if a buyer offers to pay with a money order or cashier’s check for significantly more than the asking price. They may ask you to send the extra money back through a service such as Western Union. By the time the bank discovers the check or money order is fraudulent, the money may already be gone and the item may have been shipped. The bank will typically pass the loss back to the person who deposited the counterfeit payment.

Suspicious Activity When Buying

• Listing images do not appear to be original or are commonly used on other sites.
• The seller asks for payment before you have seen the item or property.
• The item does not appear to have normal branding, logos, or other identification typically associated with the manufacturer.
• Images include background details that seem abnormal for the local area, such as palm trees.
• The member recently joined KSL Classifieds. You can check this using the “Member Since” information on the listing page. While this does not always indicate fraud, it may be worth verifying the listing details.
• The seller says KSL.com will handle the transaction.
• The seller claims KSL.com offers purchase protection or a warranty.
• The seller requests that you set up a “business account” on Venmo or Zelle to pay them.
• The seller says a third party or service will deliver the item.

Safe Practices for Buyers and Sellers

• Never provide personal information that is not available to the public.
• Be cautious when dealing with people outside of local communities, especially outside of the country.
• Verify the IMEI number before purchasing a phone to check whether it has been reported as lost or stolen.
• Always ask for paperwork, such as registration, warranty information, title, or other documents, to verify a seller’s claims.
• Check to see if the product you are buying or selling has been recalled.
• Always verify the item’s condition and payment before completing the deal.
• Have an expert examine expensive items before listing or buying.
• Print a copy or take a screenshot of the listing for your records.
• Make sure the terms of the sale are clear.
• For large transactions, consider creating a simple contract or bill of sale and having it notarized.
• Meet buyers or sellers in person in an open, public location.
• When using payment platforms like Apple Pay, Venmo, or similar services, meet in public and have the item in hand before sending money.
• Be cautious of anyone who refuses to communicate by phone.
• Negotiate terms as much as possible before meeting to avoid difficult negotiations in person.
• Be honest about your expectations.

Meeting Safely

Many police stations offer safe transaction zones. Large department stores may also have cameras in their parking lots that can record your transaction. Meeting on federal property may increase penalties against anyone making unsafe choices during the transaction.

Buying a Vehicle

When buying a vehicle, contact the DMV in your area to verify that the seller owns the vehicle and is able to sell it. In Utah, call 800-DMV-Utah. In Idaho, call 208-334-8000 or use Idaho Transportation Department’s Online Services. When possible, have the seller accompany you with the title to the DMV.

What To Do If You Suspect Fraud

If you find a listing that you believe is fraudulent, flag it using the flag icon and fill out the required information on the form. Our support team will review it and take the appropriate action.

If you receive messages from buyers outside of the local area, consider the offer carefully before responding. If you are suspicious, you can let them know you are not interested or simply ignore the offer.

If you feel compelled to report the incident, you can do so through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Questions?

If you have questions or concerns about staying safe on KSL, please contact our Support Team at support@ksl.com or 801-515-2309. We’re happy to provide additional assistance.