Fake history check scams are designed to look helpful and legitimate—but their real purpose is to take your money or card details. They often appear late in an otherwise normal conversation, which is what makes them convincing.
Here’s how the scam typically works, and how to protect yourself.
How the scam usually unfolds
Step 1: A buyer makes contact
A non-genuine buyer contacts you about your car and asks sensible questions:
Mileage
Ownership
Condition
Service history
They may even arrange a viewing. At this point, nothing seems unusual.
Step 2: The history check question comes up
The buyer then asks:
“Do you have a history check?”
“Can you send me a report?”
If you say you don’t already have one, they offer a solution.
Step 3: You’re sent a link to a fake site
The buyer sends you a link to what they claim is a trusted history check website and asks you to purchase a report there.
The site may:
Look professional and convincing
Use familiar language or logos
Claim to offer instant reports
But it’s not a legitimate provider.
Step 4: You pay—but get nothing useful
If you proceed:
You may receive no report at all, or
You may receive a document that’s vague, incomplete, or meaningless
In some cases, the goal isn’t the report—it’s capturing your card details.
Once payment is made:
The buyer stops responding
The viewing never happens
The site offers no support or refund
Why this scam works
The request feels reasonable and responsible
It happens after trust has been built
Sellers want to keep the sale moving
Fake sites can look very real
Scammers rely on sellers acting in good faith.
How to protect yourself
Only use history check providers you trust
You are never required to use a specific site suggested by a buyer. You can even encourage the buyer to use DoneDeal's Greenlight History Check service.
If someone insists on one particular link, that’s a red flag.
Be cautious of buyer-provided links
Genuine buyers won’t pressure you to click links or buy reports from unfamiliar websites.
You don’t owe anyone a paid report
It’s reasonable to say:
You already have a report
The buyer can carry out their own checks
You’re happy to proceed without one
Pressure to spend money is a warning sign.
Watch for last-minute changes
If a buyer suddenly introduces new requirements or costs after agreeing a viewing, pause and reassess.
Keep communication on DoneDeal
Staying in the DoneDeal message centre helps protect you and makes it easier to report suspicious behaviour.
If you’re unsure
Don’t click the link and don’t make a payment.
Report the message through the Help Centre so we can investigate.
Selling a car should feel straightforward and fair.
Taking a moment to question unexpected requests can save you time, money, and hassle.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions or would like to chat, please reach out to our Customer Support team.