Curbstoners Scam

How the scam works:

(with video below) Buying a used car can be stressful; there are just too many places to look. Newspapers, used car dealerships and cars parked on the street with “For Sale” signs on them are all great ways to find a good used car. There are also ad placement web sites where people will post their cars for sale. Unfortunately you can't always believe that the person you are speaking with is the actual owner of the vehicle for sale; he or she could be a curbstoner.

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Watch the video below to see the Curbstoner Scam exposed:

Curbstoner Scam Video

A curbstoner is a car dealer who poses as an individual to sell a car without having to follow the FTC rules pertaining to used car sales. They also may just be out to defraud the consumer. But why would they go to such lengths to sell a car when they have a car lot? These cars usually have hidden problems that affect the safety and value of the car. There have even been instances where curbstoners have sold totaled cars that have been registered in another state to hide the cars history.

 

How to avoid:

When shopping through the classified advertisements (whether online or print) be aware of the presence of curbstoners. When you look at the car, ask the person selling to show you some identification. The name on their driver's license should match the name on the car's title. If it doesn't match you should not purchase the vehicle. Also ask for a vehicle history report; while this is not a foolproof document it can give you a good idea of the history of the car as well as the history of ownership.

 

How to report:

Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

 

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