Protection Policy

Last Updated: October 20, 2026

1. The Absolute Advance-Payment Ban Matrix

To eliminate car sales fraud, AutoFiti enforces a strict ban on all advance payments. Sellers are completely forbidden from requesting, demanding, or suggesting that a buyer send holding fees, commitment deposits, vehicle shipping deposits, or local transit fuel fees before the buyer has physically inspected the vehicle and verified its paperwork.

Car scammers often use fake listings with below-market prices and claim they are out of town or busy, demanding mobile money deposits via M-Pesa or other wallets to "lock down the deal." Never send money under these circumstances. If any seller makes these demands, break off communication immediately and flag the listing using our security tools.

2. Step-by-Step Buyer Diligence Framework

To ensure a safe vehicle purchase across Africa, follow this strict verification workflow before making a payment:

• Secure Inspection Environments: Never go to isolated, private properties or unfamiliar side streets to inspect a vehicle. Conduct all vehicle walkthroughs and test drives during daylight hours in highly visible public spaces, such as an established car yard, a shopping mall parking zone, or directly outside a secure commercial banking hall.
• Mechanical Verification: Always hire an independent automotive mechanic to run a diagnostic system scan, inspect the frame for hidden accident damage, and check the engine compression status. Do not rely solely on the clean look of the vehicle's exterior body panels.
• Legal Logbook and Title Search: Physically check the vehicle's engine block serial codes and structural chassis plate directly against the original paper logbook. Run an official title search through the local transport registry database (such as the NTSA/TIMS network in Kenya or matching regional registries on mapped domains) to check for active vehicle logbook loans, criminal police tracking flags, or outstanding customs duties.
• Import Documentation Check: If the vehicle is listed as an "Unregistered Fresh Import," verify the original custom clearance certificates, bill of lading documentation, KRA clearance papers, and port entry bond slips to confirm it is fully road-legal.

3. Step-by-Step Seller Security Framework

• Secure Payment Transfers: Do not hand over a vehicle's keys, transfer forms, or original logbook until your bank explicitly confirms that the buyer's funds have cleared in full. Never rely on SMS payment screenshots or paper bank slips shown by a buyer, as these can be easily forged. Verify the transfer directly inside your official banking application.
• Test Drive Safety: Never let a buyer test drive a vehicle alone. Always sit inside the passenger cabin during the test drive, and verify their identity by checking a valid driver's license before leaving the yard.

4. Algorithmic Enforcement and 24-Hour Account Bans

AutoFiti runs real-time security tracking tools to spot suspicious account behavior. Every listing page features a prominent "Report Ad" button. If you see a vehicle with an unrealistically low price, suspicious photos, or an aggressive seller demanding advance deposits, click the report button immediately. Our anti-fraud security unit will review the listing's IP logs and dealer metrics, permanently banning and IP-blocking confirmed scammers within 24 hours.