Edmunds does NOT provide "purchase protection" plans or other escrow-type services for private party vehicle sales -- i.e. holding the buyer's payment until the vehicle is delivered. If you see anyone asking you to send money to “Edmunds Protection Vault” or “Edmunds Autos,” for example, it is a fraudulent use of our name.

Please report any such activity directly to the FBI for investigation; you can do this through their Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx.

It is also helpful to make a report to the site that hosted the vehicle listing so that they can have it removed:

• AutoTrader.com: see their Fraud Awareness page, which has step-by-step instructions on how to notify them by email
• eBay Motors: visit their page on Using Escrow Services, where you can report a seller or buyer
• Cars.com: explore their SAFE blog or email suspicious activity to reportascam@cars.com