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Media from various parts of the UK are reporting increasing numbers of people falling victim to criminals using scams involving online car deals. Used car sellers have advertised to sell their cars online and then been paid with forged cash or bankers drafts, which they have discovered only after parting with the vehicle. Being offered more than than asking price should ‘ring alarm bells’, but conmen now do this on the premise that if you pass on most, but not all, of this to another person you can keep the surplus.

Would-be used car buyers, of apparently real bargain cars, have been asked to meet in quiet places and told that the seller will only take cash. Vulnerable buyers have been met at the agree place only to be robbed on their cash.

Online used car buyers and sellers need to take great care to safeguard themselves and their money from this new breed of Internet fraudster and crook.

A good basic trustworthiness checklist would start with:

• Will they give a full name in advance and carry photo ID when you meet?
• Is it possible to verify their business address?
• What telephone number can they supply for the business, other than a mobile?
• Details of buyers bank account made available to you?
• There are still risks in agreeing to a bankers draft but you can meet at your own bank and ask them to check it?
• Notes of foreign currencies, even euros, should be refused as you might be less likely to recognise forged notes.
• Finally, if meeting the buyer or seller half-way, make sure they agree to meet in a safe well lit place where plenty of people are about and take someone with you.
• If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

There are plenty of reputable online car firms who will sell you a car or buy one from you without risk but you do need to do your homework and check them out first. Any buyer who will not give you basic information about their name and address should considered dubious.

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The first step in debt management is understanding the real value of your disposable assets as these could go some way to eliminate liabilities. Make a list and include:

• Property investments
• Stocks & Shares
• Antiquities & collectables
• Savings accounts
• Premium Bonds
• Leisure equipments – cameras, bikes, snowboards etc.
• Cars, motorbikes, boats

Car owners can unknowingly have large amounts of equity locked up in their vehicle, even if was bought with finance or hire purchase. The asset value is the price you can get less all outstanding finance. If the car was bought on finance a long time ago you may well have paid off most of the loan. The car you drive is leased then this guide will not apply in your case. Finance companies can easily provide the total final balance of any loan on request. Even if you are in arrears with the payments, the finance company would rather you sell your car, than them have to pursue you for the money or repossess the car.

Selling a car for cash, particularly if it needs to be done quickly, often means taking less than the car is really worth. Franchised dealer sales guys only want you old car if it is swopped against a brand new model. The readership of local newspapers is now so small than few people have any hope of finding a private cash buyer for their car.

Websites such as Sellmycar4cash buy used cars to use as stock for main dealers and offer to value and buy your car quickly without any fees or risk. No car older than 7 years or with mileage higher than one hundred thousand will be valued. Get a speedy value for your old car by completing all the questions in the web form and simply wait for a call back with the price. The valuation is not agreement to sell and you can think it over before deciding. If you decide to sell you car you can call back and arrange for a viewing after which you will be paid the agree amount.