Tips For Buying Vehicle Online

Dallas Police

Here are some important tips to help protect yourself when purchasing a vehicle online:

  1. Use extreme caution when buying a vehicle on an online marketplace.
  2. Ask the seller to meet you at the County Tax Office to complete the sale. If they refuse, it’s a major red flag-something could be wrong with the vehicle.
  3. The County Tax Office can verify if the title is legitimate and lien-free.
  4. Make sure the person you meet is the same person you’ve been in contact with and that their name matches the one on the title.
  5. Verify the driver’s license to ensure the person you’re meeting is who they say they are. If someone else shows up to complete the sale, that’s a huge red flag.
  6. For a large purchase, it’s always safer to buy from a certified car dealership or a reputable retailer.
  7. Check vehicle appraisal websites to compare resale values for the car you’re interested in. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  8. Visit https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle to find the procedures for buying or selling a vehicle in Texas.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure your purchase is safe and legitimate.

Public Release.