I have a car listed for sale on Trademe (for around $35k), and apart from the usual clowns trying to low-ball me on the price, I have also been contacted via text message (from an 022 mobile number) by someone who says they are very keen on the car, and wanting to know all about how to finance it.

My trademe advert states that there is finance owing on the vehicle, however it does not state who it's with.

This person wanted to know who it's financed through to see if there is any way they can take over the loan upon purchase. I told him/her to speak to someone at GEM (GE Money) to ask if that is possible - although I don't think it is. I also said they may be best to investigate finance with their preferred lender instead.

This person now says they are trying to arrange their own finance which is fine, but it strikes me as odd that they have not even viewed or test driven the car yet, nor have they even asked to. They also haven't asked me any questions about the actual vehicle itself.

Because of their lack of interest in the actual vehicle I am now worried that this is some sort of scam - perhaps an attempt to take a loan out on the vehicle without actually owning it. Is this sort of thing even possible?

I assume that no lender would even touch it while I have finance owing on it, but it's the general disinterest in the vehicle itself that has me a bit worried.

Thoughts? Should I be worried? Is this why people smudge out their rego plate number in photos?