Have you listed a boat for sale? There are fraudsters galore out there, so beware!
Con artists are constantly coming up with new spins for their swindles, but there are some clues that should tip you off. If you spot even one of these signs, cut off contact with the “buyer” immediately:
- The buyer is “out of the country” and only engages via email.
- The buyer wishes to pay a higher amount than the list price and wants you to refund the difference.
- Refers to the boat only as an “item” and asks nothing about age, condition, and other things legit boat buyers would want to know.
- Expresses no interest in verifying registration or hull-identification.
- Doesn’t ask to see the vessel, have a sea trial, or do a survey.
- Zero negotiation over the asking price.
Buyers can also be ripped off buying online. Look for these warning signs:
- The vessel’s price is significantly below any comparable listings and the seller is vague or non-responsive to inquiries about title, registration, documentation, etc.
- You can’t call the seller to chat about the boat and must email to an address that is very long and contains many numbers. If you’re told the seller is “overseas” or otherwise unavailable, request to speak to someone at the place the boat is berthed. (Chances are, you won’t hear back.)
- The seller specifies that you wire the money to a pre-selected transport company and requires you to pay a higher price and then wire back the overpayment. Or they insist you pay via money order or a pre-loaded money card.
If you’ve come this far without being alarmed, ask when you can see the boat. If it’s not a local point of sale, ask someone in the area or hire an independent marine surveyor. Tell the seller someone is coming to verify that the vessel exists and to examine the actual title and registration. If the response is vague, don’t continue. It’s likely the scammer will move on without responding.
