Opinion: Seller beware? In online car scam, 'trust' is everything. Here's what you need to know

As for my scammer, after being assured that that I had taken his check to the bank, he got so excited that his grammar began to erode - either that, or it was a tag-team operation. — Using mobile photo created by Dragana_Gordic - www.freepik.com

Everyone knows the phrase "caveat emptor," the Latin warning for buyer beware. After all, it's easy to imagine how one could get scammed handing over money for a bogus product or service.

But what about "caveat venditor," or seller beware? Beyond warning that people are responsible for whatever they market, the phrase also can mean that receiving money in a transaction — just like forking it over — is no safe bet, either.