Motorhome and caravan owners could be at risk of “losing thousands” of pounds as a result of a new scam.
Drivers reporting calls through the Phonely Who Called Me? platform has shared shocking accounts of fraudsters posing as buyers.
After making contact with the sellers, scammers attempt to devalue the vehicle using bogus claims.
This effectively pressures sellers into accepting significantly lower offers than what they should for their models.
According to experts, this scam is specifically “designed to exploit sellers” who may not have had the luxury of getting a professional valuation.
One motorist even reported a scam buyer had tried to secure their motorhome for as much as £10,000 less.
One comment online read: “This is a scammer. Asked to buy my motorhome. Turned up with a so-called expert who said it was completely damp and would cost in excess of £12,000 to fix.
“He tricked us into believing this was the case and offered to still buy at £10k less. Yes, we fell for it and lost the money.”
Another road user explained: “Took our MH yesterday and totally conned us. Told us it was riddled with damp and knocked us down by thousands. Paid in cash and couldn’t get away quick enough.
“Feel a right bloody fool. Not sure what I can do now to get these scammers brought to right.”
One user added: “Almost fell for a similar scam with my boat. They tried to say it had structural damage and offered way below the asking price.”
According to Phonely Who Called Me?, motorhome and caravan owners can avoid falling victim by taking precautions.
They stressed road users should make sure to get their motorhome assessed by a professional dealer as part of an evaluation.
Drivers should also be wary of high-pressure tactics with scammers likely to create urgency or use “intimidating tactics to force a quick decision”.
One of the most important checks before agreeing to a sale is verifying buyer credentials.
Motorists should check the identity and reputation of potential buyers, especially if they claim to bring an ‘expert’ to inspect the motorhome before agreeing to a sale.
