Stay safe when buying a vehicle at auction
Vehicle auctions remain one of the most affordable ways for South Africans to purchase quality used cars.
Unfortunately, a growing online scam is putting unsuspecting buyers at risk.
Fraudsters are attracting buyers with deals that appear unusually cheap and are impersonating reputable auction houses.
How the scam works
They create fake websites, social media posts, and even WhatsApp conversations that look credible at first glance.
Their goal is straightforward: to convince buyers to pay for vehicles that do not exist.
Once a buyer shows interest, they are contacted on WhatsApp by someone pretending to represent an auction house.
This impersonator may use stolen branding, cloned websites, and manipulated images to appear trustworthy.
Buyers are then pressured into making upfront payments to secure the vehicle, often under the pretext of limited availability or urgency.
After the payment is made, the scammer disappears, and the buyer only later learns that the vehicle was never real.
How to protect yourself
As online scams continue to grow more sophisticated, MFC urges South Africans to remain cautious and follow essential steps to protect themselves when purchasing a vehicle at auction.
Guidelines to help verify legitimate auction dealings:
1. Never click suspicious links
Always type the official MFC web addresses directly into your browser:
mfc.co.za or mfcauctions.co.za.
Fraudsters often use similar-looking URLs that lead to fake pages designed to steal money or personal information.
2. Verify every advertised vehicle
If you see a vehicle posted on Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform, confirm that it is listed on the official MFC websites.
If it does not appear there, it is not an authentic MFC auction vehicle.
3. Make payments only to the official Nedbank MFC account
Banking details are clearly displayed on official MFC platforms.
Do not make payments into any account sent via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or social media messages.
4. Never pay for a vehicle you have not viewed in person
All legitimate MFC vehicles can be physically viewed at their auction sites. This protects you from fake listings and ensures complete transparency.
5. Understand what MFC will never do
MFC will never:
- Ask for an upfront payment to secure a vehicle before an auction.
- Sell any vehicle outside the official auction process.
- Request extra payments for storage, delivery, or transport fees.
- Communicate with clients through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
If any of these occur, consider the interaction suspicious immediately.
6. If unsure, contact MFC directly
If you are uncertain about an advert, a phone call, or any communication from someone claiming to represent MFC or Nedbank, contact MFC immediately at:
- 011 879 9321
- 0860 879 900
Protect yourself – pause and verify
MFC emphasises that customer safety is a top priority.
By staying alert, verifying information, and relying on official channels, buyers can enjoy a secure and trustworthy auction experience.
MFC encourages all buyers to take time to confirm details, ask questions, and make use of available official resources.
When in doubt, pause and verify rather than risk falling victim to fraud.
MFC has invested significantly in secure processes, transparent auction practices, and accessible support channels to ensure that every customer feels confident and protected throughout the buying journey.
Click here to learn how to safely buy a vehicle at auction with Nedbank MFC.
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