Selling a campervan should be an exciting experience, but unfortunately scammers do sometimes target online listings. Knowing the warning signs can help you stay safe and sell with confidence.

Red flags: how to spot a scam buyer

1. Moving off platform quickly. Be cautious if a buyer immediately tries to move the conversation to WhatsApp, text, or another messaging app. This can reduce traceability.

2. Vague messages. Generic messages like “I’m interested, kindly get back to me” without specific questions can indicate a scam or automated enquiry.

3. No intention to view the vehicle. Be wary of buyers claiming to be abroad, buying for someone else, or wanting to arrange shipping without viewing the campervan.

4. Unrealistic offers. Immediate full-price or above-asking offers without questions or a viewing are unusual for high-value vehicles.

5. Unusual payment methods. Avoid requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, overpayments, or unknown escrow services.

6. Third-party websites. Some scammers ask you to continue on external sites or sign up for vehicle reports. These can be unsafe or unnecessary.

How to stay safe

• Take your time, genuine buyers will not rush you.
• Keep communication on trusted platforms.
• Never share sensitive details early such as ID, bank information or address.
• Only release the campervan once payment has fully cleared.
• Arrange in-person viewings where possible.
• Trust your instincts.

Questions buyers ask

Genuine buyers usually ask about:

• Mileage
• Service history and MOT
• Condition or known issues
• Viewing arrangements
• Price negotiation

Scam tactics often focus on:

• Shipping without viewing
• Overseas buyers who cannot attend
• Unusual payment methods
• Overpayment and refund requests
• Pressure to act quickly

If you suspect a scam

• Stop responding immediately.
• Do not share personal or financial information.
• Block the user if you have moved to other platforms.
• Report it to Quirky Campers.

Quirky’s experience

We take reports of suspicious activity on our platform very seriously and have recently noticed an increase in this type of behaviour. While our tech team blocks the majority of these enquiries before they reach sellers, here are key patterns we have seen:

• Requests to move to WhatsApp, often from numbers formatted like 0/7/1/2/3/4/5, which can suggest automated or non-human messages.
• Requests to sign up to third-party websites offering “Epic vehicle reports”, which are usually paid subscription services and not useful for sellers.
• Requests involving unusual payment methods such as cheques combined with overseas shipping arrangements.

For tips on creating a great listing and getting the best price for your van, see our guide to selling a campervan on Quirky Campers, or list your campervan now. For anything else, check our main FAQs page.