The too-good-to-be-true listing
A late-model machine priced far below market, from a seller who is out of state, cannot meet in person, and needs a fast deposit to hold it. There is no machine. Compare any price to what similar machines actually sell for. If it is far below market, treat it as a scam until proven otherwise.
Wire fraud and fake escrow
The seller pushes you to wire a deposit or full payment before you have seen or verified the machine, often through a fake escrow site or a shipping company that does not exist. Never wire money for a machine you have not inspected and verified. Once a wire is gone, it is gone.
Stolen equipment
Stolen machines are resold quickly, often with a ground-off or re-stamped serial and thin paperwork. Match the serial on the frame to the data plate and the documents, and check the National Equipment Register. Walk away from any altered serial and consider contacting the police.
Undisclosed liens
The seller does not mention that a lender still holds a lien on the machine. You pay, and the lienholder can come after the equipment. Search UCC filings (United States) or the provincial personal property registry (Canada) before you pay. See our title, lien and theft guide.
Title washing and rolled-back meters
On titled units, a branded title (salvage or flood) can be washed by re-titling in another state. On any machine, hour meters can be rolled back or swapped. Run an NMVTIS report for on-road units, and compare the hours to the machine’s real condition and service records.
The pattern behind almost every scam is pressure to pay before you verify. Slow down, inspect the machine, and confirm its identity, liens and theft status first. A MachVerity lookup gives you the identity and the checklist to do it.
Check a machine before you buy
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Frequently asked
How do I avoid getting scammed buying used equipment?
Never pay before you inspect and verify. Compare the price to real sales, match the serial on the frame to the paperwork, check for liens and theft through official sources, and never wire money under pressure.
Is it safe to wire a deposit to hold a machine?
No. Pressure to wire a deposit fast, especially to a seller you cannot meet, is the most common scam. Verify the machine and the seller first.
How do I know if a used machine is stolen?
Match the frame serial to the data plate and documents, check the National Equipment Register, and treat any ground-off or re-stamped serial as a serious warning sign.